MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--As the livelihood fair here resumed after its hiatus for years due to the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic, City Mayor Majul Gandamra underscored that such is a wonderful opportunity for residents to hunt for their own livelihood. 

Implemented by various government line agencies and non-government organizations, this year’s fair dubbed as Kawiyagan 2022: Trade, Techno and Job Fair runs for two days beginning Wednesday, January 26 until Thursday, January 27, showcasing various services, programs and Meranao products, including job fair, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and government internship program enrollment, Business One-Stop Shop, orientation on civil documentation, free haircut, manicure and pedicure, and science and technology promotion.

“Napakaganda na naman na nagsimula ito ngayong 2022 at ito ay makakapagbigay ng oportunidad sa ating mga kababayan na nawalan ng hanapbuhay because of the siege and itong nangyayaring pandemic,” said Gandamra. 

[It's to have started this [fair] this 2022 as this can give an opportunity to our fellow men who lost their livelihood because of the siege and this ongoing pandemic.]

The mayor has openly expressed his desire for a sustainable livelihood program in his city as he believes that this will significantly aid citizens in the future whose means of income will be disrupted by inevitable circumstances such as the transpired firefight, disaster, and health crisis, among others. 

He shared that they are on the move of institutionalizing the continuance of this idea which started with the deliberation of the annual investment of the local government here to support the livelihood program of the constituents. 

Gandamra said that while they are employing all necessary procedures to mitigate and contain the virus transmission now that the COVID-19 challenge continues to take a toll, they cannot possibly impose full restriction in conducting programs such as the Kawiyagan 2022 as this is equally important to be served to the public.

He also emphasized that there is just a need to balance everything wherein suspension will be enforced to unnecessary agenda and gatherings, and those that are essential will be allowed to kick off. 

“Kailangan natin magbigay ng opportunity sa ating mga kababayan dahil while we are trying to prevent the escalation of this problem, itong coronavirus, ay kailangan din nating mabuhay kaya binibigyan natin ng opportunity ang ating mga kababayan na makahanap ng mga trabaho through this program,” said Gandamra.

[We need to give an opportunity to our fellow men because while we are trying to prevent the escalation of this problem, the coronavirus, we also need to live, that is why we are giving the opportunity to our fellow men to look for jobs through this program.]

To recall, the Kawiyagan program was first held in 2018 as a response to the siege and only had its temporary stop in 2020 due to the presence of COVID-19. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)