TFBM readies for ‘Marawi Week of Peace’ celebration

MARAWI CITY - Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) here can now avail themselves of free services from the different member-agencies of the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) during this year's observance of Marawi Week of Peace starting May 17- 23.

In an interview during the "Bangon Marawi, Bangon Ranao" radio program with TFBM Field Office manager and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Assistant Secretary Felix Castro Jr., he announced that the activity is open to all Marawi constituents.

"We are just finalizing the program of activities. But definitely, we will have a cleanup drive on May 18 to remove all campaign paraphernalia all over the city," Castro said.

During TFBM meeting last May 14, it was agreed that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) would lead the "Operation Baklas" with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The TFBM will also participate in the "Brigada Eskwela" of the Marawi City Schools Division on May 20, and the inter-agency body will also try to facilitate the issuance of passports, senior citizen and single parent IDs, and civil registration services of the city government.

"Our purpose in doing this is to help our IDPs and to promote social cohesion between the government and the people of Marawi, promotion of spiritual development, and peace for Marawi City," Castro added.

For this year's Marawi Week of Peace, the TFBM will hold a short program in Marawi City Hall grounds while the Subcommittee on Business and Livelihood will do the "Kawiyagan" (livelihood) activity with booths of the different TFBM member-agencies showcasing their services for Marawi IDPs.

The city government will also conduct relief operations and Quran reading competition.

The Philippine Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will also distribute Iftar to Marawi IDPs in collaboration with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).