MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The commemoration of Marawi Week of Peace this year opened with a business and trade fair to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) led by internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The fair is an offshoot of Kawiyagan, a Maranao term for livelihood, spearheaded by the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) subcommittee on business and livelihood to provide livelihood assistance to those affected by the 2017 siege.

Raheemah Peace Weavers Producer Cooperative Executive Director Baicon Cayongcat-Nusca, one of the pioneer organizers, recalled that Kawiyagan put together government agencies and development partners, both local and international, to create opportunities for Marawi IDPs to have a sustainable source of livelihood.

"Given the reality that programs and support of some development partners and government agencies are about to end, what we did is to evolve Kawiyagan into a trade fair to provide a marketing platform for those that have been supported under by the TFBM subcommittee on business and livelihood," she said.

Products sold at the trade fair include Maranao delicacies and other food products, malongs, ready-to-wear apparel accentuated with langkit, and fresh agricultural produce, among others. Participating exhibitors are MSMEs, cooperatives, and social enterprises led by women and youth. 

This year's week of peace trade fair also featured programs and services of different government agencies, such as the SIM registration of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, national ID registration and EPhilID printing and verification of PSA, business name registration of the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism, issuance of birth certificates by the Local Civil Registrar;

Application of a building permit by the Office of Building Official, zoning application by the City Planning and Development Office, application for social pension to the City Social Welfare and Development Office, issuance of a tribal certificate and legal assistance tbythe National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, issuance of police clearance by the Philippine National Police, and issuance of a fire safety inspection certificate by the Bureau of Fire Protection.

The City Health Office is also holding COVID-19 vaccination and supplemental immunization activities, while the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education-TESD is offering free manicure, pedicure, and haircut services as well as cooking demonstrations.

Meanwhile, City Mayor Majul Gandamra underscored that the conduct of a trade fair is one of the ways to sustain the gains accomplished through the interventions of Task Force Bangon Marawi and its implementing agencies and development partners.

He also emphasized that while healing from the tragic event is a continuous process, Marawi should move forward and learn from the lessons of the siege.

Gandamra further reminded his constituents that development will not be attained through force but through unity and peace. He added that peace starts with everyone, as it is a shared responsibility.

The Marawi Week of Peace was launched in 2018 with the theme "Peace Starts With Us: Give, Work, and Share," to boost social cohesion among stakeholders through collaborative activities. (APB/PIA-10)