MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--City Mayor Majul Gandamra underscored the relevance of constructing a museum in the war-torn city of Marawi stating that it will not only boost cultural preservation but also push the city's economic development.

"While some of our detractors say that building a museum is not necessary for rehabilitating a city destroyed by the infamous siege, we have to understand that having a museum is like building a facility that would preserve not only the artifacts of the great culture of our ancestors but it is also a haven for the memories of our history in order for us to pass it on to the next generation of Muslim Meranaws," he said during the inauguration ceremony of the facility.

From an economic lens, Gandamra said the building of the facility will help boost the city's tourism sector which could contribute to the local economy. "This could be transformed into an economic opportunity that could generate jobs that would help the ball of the local economy rolling," he further said.

The City Tourism Office (CTO) thanked the city government and its partners for including the facility in the master development plan for Marawi underlining its contribution to the promotion and preservation of the distinct Meranaw culture

"The construction of the Marawi Museum right at the heart of Marawi City is indeed a testament that the Marawi local government unit acknowledges that museums are important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of culture, and development of mutual understanding, cooperation, and peace among people," said Princess Tarhata Pacasum-Mangotara, CTO focal person.

Meanwhile, Gandamra shared that the CTO is currently communicating with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for future collaboration. According to him, the NCCA has expressed its support not only for the collection of artifacts that would be displayed in the museum but also for future funding and technical assistance. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)