MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) has begun processing a one-time PHP1,000 cash assistance for each family
displaced by the ongoing hostilities in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.
According to a department news release, Social Welfare Secretary Judy
Taguiwalo said the assistance will be provided under the DSWD Assistance to
Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
“Most of our fellow citizens from Marawi are Muslims. We are now
processing to provide them cash assistance because it is Ramadan. They can use
it to buy fruits because they are breaking their fast,” Taguiwalo said during a
radio interview.
She noted that representatives from Lanao suggested the provision of
the cash assistance to help Muslim evacuees who are observing the fasting month
of Ramadan despite being in evacuation centers.
Taguiwalo said this is only a one-time cash aid, as her department
continues to provide the evacuees food.
The DSWD is also preparing the provision of additional assistance, such
as tents, once the evacuees return to Marawi, the social welfare chief said.
According to the department, as of last Thursday, the armed conflict
has displaced a total of 50,327 families or 245,341 persons in 27 barangays in
Marawi City and 13 barangays in Marantao, Lanao del Sur.
Of the figure, 4,244 families or 20,627 individuals are staying in 63
evacuation centers, while 44,999 families or 219,339 persons are with relatives
or friends in Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen,
Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and the Negros islands.
(DSWD-PR)#DEFENDREPUBLIC)
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