MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Aiming to expand the marketing of products locally made by Maranaos in this city and Lanao del Sur province, the Raheemah Peace Weavers Producer Cooperative launched the web and mobile application of its Raheemah Economic Hub and Development Center that would display various items bearing the Maranao culture. 

With the continuing support of Save the Children Philippines under its livelihood and the learning Marawi program in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and Pacific, the cooperative unveiled the website www.raheemaheconomichub.ph, including the application named Raheemah Economic Hub which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store for Android users, and app store for iOS users.

Raheemah Peace Weavers Producer Cooperative Chairperson Sittie Aishah Baicon Cayongcat Nuska said the Raheemah Economic Hub and Development Center was primarily established to have a physical store for their local artisans and other social entrepreneurs, especially women and youth. 

However, knowing the new normal now, she saw the need to reach those interested purchasers of their products who cannot personally come to the city. 

Nuska is positive that with the mobile app, they could enjoy a nationwide and global extent. 

“This application will be the answer to the need to be able to market the local products of the people of Marawi,” she said. 

Nuska also detailed that there are at least 36 social entrepreneurs who posted their products in their mobile application and that they would still try to connect with other organizations to help them showcase their products. 

Some interesting commodities ready to be purchased from their app were by-products of handicrafts, langkit, halal seasonings, and Maranao delicacies made by youths in this city, such as chocolates called Kakaw Meranaw, cassava crackers, and chili sauce. 

Moreover, Nuska also bared that one of the highlights of the launch of their web and mobile app was the trade fair and peace walk wherein they conveyed to the people of Iligan City and other places that aside from the quality products they have and could offer, the Islamic city where they came from had the intrinsic culture that represented their identity while the colorful fabric they displayed showed that just like other cultures and people in the Philippines, they, too, are as beautiful as other dwellers of the country. 

“So far, the sales have been very good, especially when the community here [in Iligan City] somehow understands the purpose of advocacy, that we are not just selling products but also telling stories about how we support communities in Marawi and Lanao del Sur,” she said.

Looking back on the achievements of her organizations, Nuska expressed her gratitude to their partners, including Save the Children Philippines, Task Force Bangon Marawi, and the Department of Trade and Industry, for looking up to her organization for what it could render for women and children in Lanao del Sur province and Marawi City for them to believe in their potential, and rebuild their lives and livelihood. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)