MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) has capped off the implementation of Duyog Ramadan and Eid'l Fitr Solidarity activities this year.

Such a program ran for three days, starting April 18 to 20, wherein some 800 residents of Rorogagus and Dulay Transitory Shelters and Bahay Pag-asa Village received assistance from the said government agency and its partners.

The aid included ten-kilo sacks of rice and moknas, or prayer dresses, while an Iftar was also hosted, which was attended by all target beneficiaries.

OPAPRU Project Development Officer John Rey Catalan stated that this has been their means of expressing their continuous sharing of solidarity with the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

He stated that they would always back community tasks, as they would all want to achieve full healing and success in all their endeavors. 

"Marami na tayong nakitang gustong mangyari sa komunidad na ito at bahagi ang OPAPRU sa inyong mga pagsisikap at sa mga naging vision na gustong marating ng komunidad na ito," said Catalan.

(We have seen a lot of desired scenarios in this community, and the OPAPRU has been part of this perseverance and vision that this community wanted to attain)

On the other hand, partners of the government agency have conveyed their respective messages as well, in line with the end of Ramadan.

500th Combat Engineer Battalion Acting Commanding Officer LtCol. Jerome Rodosendo assured the public that the peace and security of the entire city here will always be their top priority with the help of the Philippine National Police.

He said they assist the local government units and non-government organizations in delivering basic services and needs to the people in the city, as they would want to ensure an orderly implementation of humanitarian programs.

"Ito ay para sa kapayapaan. Ito ay isang may kabuluhang laban na hinahangad ng lahat. Tayo ay magtulungan para sa kapayapaan ng Marawi City at ikauunlad ng buong bayan," said Rodosendo.

(This is for peace. This is a meaningful fight that we all look forward to. Let us help each other for peace in Marawi City and the progress of the whole country)

Community and Family Services International Marawi Sub-Office Head Farida Mangcaan also told the IDPs that Ramadan is about healing, gratitude, and forgiveness.

She encouraged the people not to be stressed and anxious because they cannot forgive themselves if they are in that kind of state.

Moreover, Mangcaan emphasized that gratitude is the foundation of forgiveness; thus, her reminder to be always grateful wherever one may be.

For his part, Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Field Office Manager Asec. Felix Castro Jr. has been gratified by the support he has received from the displaced people.

As such, he guaranteed that his office would work hand-in-hand with the Marawi Compensation Board so that IDPs could eventually go back to their places at ground zero.

"Nandito pa rin ang TFBM upang tulungan kayo kasi sa aming puso, hindi makokompleto ang rehabilitation kung hindi kayo makakabalik," said Castro. 

(The TFBM is still here to help you because, in our hearts, the rehabilitation would not be completed if you could not return). (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)