MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) -- Despite the various activities carried out by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), they still have not forgotten the survivors of the warfare in Marawi.

Under its Duyog Ramadan program, OPAPRU conducted a 3-day solidarity activity for 806 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently residing in three temporary shelters in the city.

Some 130 households of IDPs in Bahay Pagasa II in Mipaga received aid consisting of 10 kilograms of rice and a prayer dress from OPAPRU on the third day of the Duyog Ramadan, April 20.

"Nagpapasalamat kami sa OPAPRU kahit papaano ay hindi kami nakalimutan. Nabigyan ng mga ayuda ngayong Ramadan. Malaking tulong na ito sa amin," said Bahay Pag-asa resident Sarah Abdulrahman.

[We are grateful to OPAPRU because they didn't forget us. We were given aid this Ramadan. This is a great help to us.] 

Like others, it was also a great help to Laraida Mangata who has a big family.

"Laking pasasalamat sa pinagbigay niyo sa amin. Sobrang laking (tulong). Gaya ko na may isang dosenang bata kailangan talaga ng ganyan (tulong). Thank you sa lahat. Godbless," she said.

[Thank you very much for what you have given us. It is a big (help). I, who have a dozen children, really need such (help). Thank you to everyone.]

Minang Dumarpa, another beneficiary, said they are also praying that OPAPRU will be blessed with strength because the office is an instrument for the IDPs to receive grace from God and help more people in need.

"Una sa lahat yung sabi ko na more power and God bless OPAPRU para may matulungan pang marami, hindi lang kaming mga taga Pag-asa kundi sa lahat ng mga nangangailangan ng tulong," she said.

[First of all, I say more power and God bless OPAPRU so that it can help more people, not only us in Pag-asa but all those needing help.] (JND/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)