MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--With the end of the holy month of Ramadan drawing near, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) ensured that through its seasonal Duyog Ramadan program, it could deliver help to needy communities and keep together citizens who were displaced from their old homes after the eruption of the siege in 2017. 

On Tuesday, April 18, OPAPRU distributed ten kilograms of rice to at least 250 residents at the Dulay Transitory Shelter in Barangay Dulay Proper, here.

Moreover, an Iftar, or breaking of fast, was also hosted for the dwellers therein. 

OPAPRU Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Focal and Project Development Officer (PDO) Marie Rose Abejuela said they intended to observe Ramadan with their Muslim brothers and sisters in the transitory sites to let them know that they are always remembered. 

"We want to share with them that they are not forgotten and we are here to celebrate with them Ramadan and Eid’l Fitr," she said. 

The OPAPRU PCVE focal and PDO further said the beneficiaries were identified by their Northern Mindanao Area Management Unit, which works on the ground to coordinate with the supposed recipients. 

Accordingly, they chose the Dulay Transitory Shelter as one of their targets this year, considering that this is one of the shelters that they have assisted previously. 

Seeing the smiles painted on the faces of the people on the site, Abejuela reiterated their commitment to help the IDPs for as long as their assistance is needed. 

"Anything that they need, we are here to help them," said Abejuela. 

The OPAPRU will continue to hold similar activities at the Rorogus Transitory Shelter in Barangay Rorogagus and Bahay Pag-asa in Barangay Mipaga, all in the same city, until it reaches its target of 806 beneficiaries. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)