MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--City Mayor Majul Gandamra underscored again the importance of the newly-inaugurated Torogan to the social recovery of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Located in Barangay Sagonsongan, the Marawi's Torogan was unveiled Friday, Oct. 21, by the city government of Marawi, Marawi Sultanate League (MSL), and Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) as one of the activities to commemorate the liberation of the city from the clutch of terror groups.

"Such structure is necessary for our city because we also need to recognize that there are social aspects in our road to recovery that need to be attended to. Hopefully, this Torogan will serve to remind us, young and old and to those who will be born generations later, of the need to preserve our identity as Meranaw, as lovers of peace while at the same time rising higher to keep up to the world," said Gandamra.

The mayor said the traditional leaders and Council of Elders who will be managing the Torogan will be using the space to promote peace, harmony, and understanding.

"I am glad that they were given an establishment where they, as traditional leaders, could exercise the duties inherent to their positions as keepers of peace and bearers of justice in the community," he further said.

As such, the mayor conveyed his gratitude to the national government for including the construction of Torogan in the rehabilitation program and for supporting the city to stay culturally relevant.

A sultan himself, Gandamra donated the lot where the Torogan office was built. The project was implemented by the National Housing Authority in collaboration with the TFBM, MSL, and city government.

MSL chairman Sultan Nasser Sampaco was also thankful to the government not just for the Torogan but also for other infrastructure projects, particularly in the city's ground zero, that promotes the cultural heritage of Meranaws such as the School of Living Tradition and Sarimanok Sports Stadium, among others.

Sampaco said the Torogan will serve as the office of 11 royal houses of sultanates in Marawi where they could discuss pressing concerns to promote peace and tranquility in the city.

Meanwhile, Gandamra said Sagonsongan was a strategic location for the Torogan since it is where the IDPs have sought and obtained shelter for the past five years forming new communities bound by a shared sense of loss and resilience. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)