MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)-- Four barangays in the municipality of Marantao here in the province received community projects to support the livelihood of its villagers who have been affected by the socio-economic impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic. 

Community and Family Services International (CFSI) handed over the Community Based Support to Livelihood (CBSL) projects to the Punong Barangays of the four villages witnessed by municipal mayor Akira Alonto on August 16.

The projects turned over were a 155.5 linear meters farm-to-market road for Brgy. Inudaran Loway, level II water system for Brgy. Punud Proper, a mobile thresher with buffalo for  Brgy. Palao-Ranaranao,  and a multi-purpose community center for Brgy. Matampay.

The CBSL projects were implemented under the Marawi COVID Recovery Project (MCRP) of CFSI and funded by the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

MCRP aims to promote the protection, psychosocial, and economic recovery of at least 4,000 families or 20,000 individuals from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Ito pong Community Based Support to Livelihood ang objective po nito ay matulungan yung mga communities natin lalo na yung may mga persons with special needs na naapektuhan ng impact ng COVID-19 at ng Marawi siege to recover in terms of socio-economic aspect ng kanilang buhay," said MCRP Project Coordinator Farida Mangcaan.

[The objective of this Community Based Support to Livelihood is to help our communities, especially those with persons with special needs who have been affected by the impact of COVID-19 and the Marawi siege, to recover in terms of the socio-economic aspect of their lives.]

She said the four barangays are agricultural and rural by nature and have been affected by the siege and the restrictions due to COVID-19.

Accordingly, the projects were implemented in consultation with the four barangays to address their pressing and specific needs.

"Ang CBSL gusto natin na ang select barangays ay magkaroon ng community-driven, ibig sabihin sila yung magformulate ng kanilang priority initiative na makakasuporta sa kanilang kawiyagan o livelihood," she further said.

[The CBSL wants the select barangays to be community-driven, meaning they are the ones to formulate their priority initiative that can support their livelihood.]

Mangcaan also clarified that the beneficiaries of the MCRP are not only those in Marawi City but also communities adjacent to the city which are directly affected by the Marawi siege and pandemic such as the municipality of Marantao, as well as, communities that experienced similar armed conflicts like Butig and Piagapo, and communities that hosted families displaced by the armed conflict such as Ditsaan-Ramain, Masiu, and Lumbayanague.

Earlier this August, CFSI also handed over 10 fishing boats, fishing nets, and a hand pump to fisherfolks in Brgy. Pitatanglan, Lumbayanague town.

"Nasa kalagitnaan tayo ng ating implementation and hindi lang ang apat ng barangay [ng Marantao] ang magbebenefit but other municipal local government units at saka yung mga beneficiaries in the past ng Marawi Recovery Project na nangangailangan ng further assistance like  medicines, access to other protection services, and civil documentation among others," she added.

[We are in the middle of our implementation and not only the four barangays [of Marantao] will benefit but other municipal local government units and also the beneficiaries in the past of the Marawi Recovery Project who need further assistance like medicines, access to other protection services, and civil documentation among others.]

MCRP is an expansion of the previous Australia-CFSI partnership that provided support for those displaced by the Marawi conflict. The project aims to promote the protection, psychosocial, and economic recovery of at least 4,000 families or 20,000 individuals from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is expected to be completed by June 2023. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)