FEWER ‘WASTED’ KIDS

The Archdiocese of Cebu made a donation to the territorial prelature of Marawi City to help with rehabilitation efforts there.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma told reporters he gave the dona- tion when Marawi Bishop Edwin dela Peña visited Cebu to attend the burial of the late Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

While he refused to disclose the amount, Palma said it was provid- ed by a “generous donor,” who is a friend of the archdiocese.

Palma said he shares dela Peña’s grief in returning to a diocese ravaged by war.

He hopes that the rehabilita- tion efforts will start immediately and those affected will be able to move on with their lives.

Palma said that while Marawi only has a few Catholic residents, he called upon Catholics to help those affected by the conflict.

“They are very appreciative of every outside support,” he said.

While he supports the national government’s plan to extend martial law in Mindanao even though hostilities have subsided, Palma said he prayed that the decision will benefit those living there.

Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte declared an end to hostilities in Marawi after five months of fighting against the terrorist Maute group.

Hostilities formally ended following the deaths of Maute group leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute. /

SUNSTAR FOTO / ALLAN CUIZON EYE ON THE FUTURE. Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing, in his State of the Children report, quotes DepEd as saying there were 525 fewer “severely wasted or malnourished” children this school year than last year.