MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) – To boost the socio-economic activities of communities, the International Organization for Migration and the Korea International Cooperation Agency Philippines (KOICA) turned over community livelihood packages to barangays Papandayan, Tuca, and Timbangalan.

This intervention aims to provide a community livelihood package to the 72 barangays which are part of the less affected area (LAA) of the city. 

The community livelihood interventions were identified and prioritized by community working groups to suit their needs, capacities, and market feasibility.

Dressmaking and handcrafting livelihood packages were given to Barangay Tuca. A community water refilling station was opened in Barangay Papandayan. Meanwhile, for the Barangay Timbangalan, a community water refilling station was inaugurated at Barangay Gadongan which is the permanent location of the business. 

During the turn-over ceremony at Barangay Papandayan, Johary Lumna of Task Force Bangon Marawi Field Office underscored that the total transformation and recovery of Marawi cannot be completed without the active participation of its citizens. He encouraged the residents to cooperate and unite to rebuild their lives. 

Meanwhile, Michael Dumamba of IOM hopes that the partner communities will continue to apply what they learn from the capacity-building support they conducted even after the project ends. 

Representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Tourism (MTIT) and the local government of Marawi City also graced the event. (LELA/ PIA Lanao del Sur)