City launches relief drive for Marawi refugees

To help some 50 families displaced by the siege in Marawi City start anew here, the Cebu City Government is opening its doors to those who wish to extend relief donations to the refugees.

Ayaon “Sultan Naif” Panot, Office of the Muslim Affairs commissioner, said that the families, who left for Cebu between May 25 and last week, are now staying with their relatives in Barangays Kinasang-an, Kamputhaw and Ermita.

“We've been monitoring with our local Muslim community leaders so that we can take the profiles of the refugees. We are expecting that the number will increase in the coming days,” he told reporters yesterday.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) chief Nagiel Bañacia said they are also looking for ways to allocate funds for the refugees so that the City can accommodate them well.

The CCDRRMO has set up a drop-in center at the lobby of City Hall Legislative Building.

In the meantime, he said that the City Government is planning on extending 10 kilograms of rice and halal groceries each for the families through the accumulated donations.

“We're gathering resources because if we will charge this to

Last May 23, President Rodrigo Duterte declared the entire Mindanao under martial law following a clash between government forces and membrs of Maute terror group in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. The conflict did not only leave many people dead, but also displaced thousands of residents

the City, bureaucracy will take time for us to extend the necessary help. We will let them feel that they are welcome here and that we can understand their sad plight,” said Bañacia.

He added that the next priority of the City will have to be the education of the Maranao children, who had to transfer schools given the ongoing armed clash in their hometown. /