MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The involvement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) here and members of their host communities was a crucial part in charting the course and the wins of the Marawi Response Project (MRP).

This was emphasized by Plan International Phils Deputy Country Director Bobby Fugnit during the formal closeout of the project on Monday, November 28.

He said the MRP started its groundwork with social preparation by organizing community solidarity groups (CSGs) composed of both IDPs and host community members (HCMs) which became important vehicles through which the MRP packages of assistance were delivered.

Accordingly, a total of 672 CSGs representing the 16,000 IDPs and HCMs were organized under the project.

"With the goal of increasing the self-reliance of IDPs and HCMs, the active participation of CSGs was necessary," said Fugnit citing the CSGs as the heart and soul of the project implementation and management.

This was affirmed by Salika Maguindanao, chairperson of Maranao Collectibles, an MRP-assisted weavers’ cooperative with an established business in Marawi City. She said the MRP made her feel that they were not mere recipients of the project but partners.

"We always felt we are an essential part of the development, of the recovery," she said.

For Sittie Asia Mai of Guinaopan Youth Action Organization (GYAO) which received mushroom food processing equipment and technical skills training from MRP, the project nurtured her and brought out the best in her.

To date, GYAO through its mushroom for change project is employing women and out-of-school youths in the community through this alternative agricultural commodity. 

Meanwhile, Fugnit thanked the CSGs for their patience and perseverance as well as for trusting the project and the process.

"It was a daunting task but because of our collective efforts, we were able to deliver and touched more lives including women, young people, and children," he further said. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)