Classes resume in 12 public schools in Marawi City
Classes resumed in 12 public elementary schools in Marawi City yesterday despite the continuing clashes between government forces and Daesh-inspired fighters in the main battle area.
Brigadier General Rolando Joselito Bautista, commander of the Joint Task Force Marawi, said classes in Sultan Conding Elementary School, Sikap Elementary School, Cabingan Primary School, Banga Elementary School,
DatuTambak Elementary School, Rorogagus Elementary School, Bito Elementary School, Pendolonan Elementary School, Abdulazis Elementary School, Camp BagongAmaiPakpak Central Elementary School, Sugod Elementary School, and Mipaga Elementary School resumed Tuesday.
“We are nearing the end of the battle with the gun fight confined to the main battle area in the besieged city. Security measures are being tightened to preempt any attempts by the terrorists to hamper classes,” Bautista said.
The different Joint Task Groups under JTF Marawi had a series of conferences, discussing security preparations and arrangements to ensure the safety of faculty members and students.
“This is one of the steps taken by the security forces and the local government units to bring normalcy in the city. We are taking a gradual phase because we want to ensure that we are doing the right thing and that we are giving priority to the welfare of the Maranaos,” Bautista said.
“We are optimistic that as long as everyone is taking the same path, we will surely win this war against terrorism,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command. “I have always said that ‘education is the antidote for peace’, and with that, your Armed Forces will make sure that we will continue to work for the rehabilitation of the other schools, colleges and universities within the city that were affected by this crisis. We will be with the people in taking the road to normalcy,” Galvez assured.
Last August 22, 600 students were transported from Iligan City to the campus of the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City as classes resumed in the said university.
More than 9,000 students of MSU joined the university’s 56th founding Anniversary celebration with Galvez as guest of honor and speaker.
“Unity in diversity is not a myth. What we have done here can attest to that line,” said lawyer Jamaloden Basar, MSU VP for Administration. “We may be different in our beliefs but we are the same in one goal: we want to promote peace and edu- cation in the lives of the next generation,” he added.
Following the opening of the schools, other government offices will also soon start cleaning their respective offices in Marawi City for the immediate resumption of their operations.
China, US assistance
Meanwhile, General Eduardo Año, AFP chief of staff expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for supporting the troops working to liberate a portion of Marawi from the clutches of Muslim extremists.
On Tuesday, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, Zhao Jianhua handed to the AFP in Quezon city a P5M check for soldiers in Marawi.
Ambassador Zhao said that another 115M donation will be given before the end of the year to assist the Philippine government in the rehabilitation of Marawi, particularly in the delivery of engineering equipment.
The Chinese donation came on the same day that the United States (US) government said it was making available over $15 million (approximately P730 million) for the ongoing emergency relief operations and the longer term recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi City and its surrounding areas.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said the emergency assistance will be provided through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the lead US government agency that works to enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential.
Of the amount, 1153 million will be humanitarian assistance through USAID’s Foreign Disaster Assistance to deliver critical relief supplies such as safe drinking water, hygiene kits, shelter materials for evacuation centers, and for programs to protect displaced women and children.
Over 1577 million will be provided to support the early recovery, stabilization and rehabilitation of Marawi and the surrounding area.
The US envoy said this is in addition to the assistance already provided by USAID, including 12,000 water containers and nearly 100,000 chlorine tablets to help bring safe drinking water to families in evacuation centers; as well as 6,500 desks for temporary schools and psychosocial support for affected teachers and students.
In a statement, Malacañang said, “We welcome the assistance of the United States to finance emergency relief and recovery efforts for the areas affected by the Marawi rebellion. The devastation wrought by the Mautes, inspired by the perverse Daesh doctrine, is extensive. Hence, the recovery and rebuilding of Marawi cannot be done overnight,” Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.
“It is a multi-year rehabilitation effort which requires the full support and cooperation of everyone to help the city rise as a prosperous city again, as promised by the President,” he continued.
The Department of Education (DepEd) likewise received school furniture and repair aid from a Japanese foundation, R.K. Shimizu (Nagasaki) Foundation, Inc. as a sign of support to the DepEd’s initiative to repair and rehabilitate schools damaged by the armed conflict in Marawi City.
The Department received a total donation of 3,326 items – which included 1,000 adjustable tables, 990 adjustable chairs, 571 “randoseru” or firm-sided backpacks, and 114 fixed stand tables. These are currently lodged at the warehouse of the Department of Energy (DOE) and are ready for delivery once clearance from the Department of National Defense (DND) has been obtained.(With reports from Nonoy E. Lacson, Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos and Merlina Hernando-Malipot)