Marawi Aken

WHAT ‘s NEX T ?

Ruined lives. October 17, 2018 marked the first year of our liberation from the terrorists but until today, we are seeing the ruins untouched and we have not received any concrete plans. During the ground breaking of the Marawi Rehabilitation last October 30, residents had a chance to see their ruined houses once again. The question now remains on what concrete plans are there for them to wait for? Answers are yet to come.

Photos by Khayronesah P. Abbas

Rehab a Marawi, Rehab o Pagtao Sorhaila Yusoph

Inako October 30, so mga Meranaw na kyasaksian so kiya-groudbreaking sa soled a Dansalan. Aya madakel na so kyagedama iran ko limo a baanda mya-uma so kyapasad o kapnayaw.

Ugaid na aden peman a ped a a sabaad ko sabagi na di siran di mamakaisa o anda mangaday I kapagpooni ko titho a kazalimbago ago kazalimbetad.

So October 30 na so bo so physical a mga initiative i pangaiilay ugaid na so kakhabago o betad o pagtao

Photos by Norhanifah O. Mangotara

na ayawn salakaw. Anda mambo i kapagpoon o mga tao salimbtad? Ino myasuwat tanu den sagyaya a ipembegay ago mabebetad o mga ped tanu a myamaguyag? “Aya kapanamaran o omani isa na so panaguntaman sa kanggalebek sa mapiya ka o di tanu mamagogopa na mapakay a knaba sayabo myataman so karegen a sagadan o Meranaw,� gyaya I thotholan I Amina a homebased IDP. So kyarasay o pagtao imanto labaw so mga multiple displaced

persons sa Sarimanok tent city na aya den a mapaginoino iran na so kapakasoy ko andang a betad iran. Odi tanu managuntaman a mga pithanggisa a Muslim sa Ranaw na mapakay a matitho so ikakalek I Amina.

Sii ko panamar o umaniisa, mapakay a maalin tanu ipoon ko maruni a awid a akal na taman ko kalaan iyan. Poonan o panamar na so kaisa-isa, kakhakhalimo-ay ago kaalina ko ginawa poon ko maruni a manga rarata a ulawla na taman ko manga-ala a wida akal.

Salimbetad tanu pagari ko para ko kisalimbago!

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OPINION

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November 2018

Orlando: His WonDARful Life After CARP Johaniah N. Yusoph

Orlando Esposo, a native from the Municipality of Wao, Lanao del Sur, engaged himself in farming by producing corn as 16 years of age.

Growing in a place where almost all lands are agricultural, he believed that in order for him to cope with life, he needed to continuously do farming. Wao has 8,230 hectares of agricultural land in which sugarcane, cassava, other root crops, rubber and corn are produced Esposo is among the one thousand eight hundred fifty-six Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries of the Milaya Agrarian Reform Community of Wao whose top source of income is through farming.

As a young man, he never had the chance to experience life outside the farm because he had to deal with the soil and the scorching sun every day. It was not easy to make a living out from his own produce because he still had to pay half of what he earned to the landowner. More than his determination to have a quality life, he was also eager to provide a better life for his family but it was tough for a farmer with meager income to raise and send three children to school. Despite the inadequacy of farming tools, he still didn’t stop working with the land that is not even his own.

Most of the time, he had to borrow money from relatives or friends which made it even more difficult to bounce back from the harsh reality of having to live with no assurance on financial stability.

“Mas mabuti pang mahirap na farmer basta nagtatrabaho kaysa manghingi sa kapwa (But I’d rather be a poor working farmer than be a beggar),” he thought.

With that principle, life went on and on until in the year 1992, he received his Certificate of Land Ownership entitling him to 5.9 hectares of land through settlement. The happiness he felt was beyond happiness itself as he had been assured of a land that he can now claim as his own.

“Masayang masaya ako noon kasi hindi ko na kailangan pang magbayad nang malaki o mangutang pag nalulugi ako para lang may pambayad doon sa mayari ng lupa (I was very elated that time because I will no longer have to pay or borrow money when I get deficit just to pay the landowner),” he said.

Having his own land drove him to do better in farming but it is not always that one gets lucky in everything. Mang Esposo’s farm

Alimoden Rangiris (left), ARPT, of DAR Provincial Office of Lanao del Sur and Angela Sampaco (right), Development Facilitator in DARMO Wao, pose with Orland Esposo after a tour in his compound at Wao.

IDP widow in the midst of war Alwidad Abbas Basher-Batabor

“Hindi madali ang lahat ng nangyari simula nung biglang digmaan sa amin hanggang sa ilang buwan naming pagiging bakwit.” said by Omairah, an IDP from Brgy. Bangon, Marawi City.

Her story is quite different from other IDPs. Their house located far away from most affected areas or MAA did not escape from the rage of a 5 month war between AFP and the ISIS inspired terrorist group. The decades of sacrifice of her entire family in building their home were blown away by the tragedy.

“Hindi ko alam ano gagawin ko. Saan kami titira at paano na kami mabubuhay”,

got badly affected with the El Nino incident way back March to April 2006. Almost all of his crops didn’t survive the burning heat of the sun while almost all lands were thirsty.

But this didn’t stop him from doing farming. He worked day and night and kept saving amount even so little. This has been his routine for several years. His land then brimming with corn and sugarcane were finally being transported to Valencia City, Bukidnon as its primary market.

she said. When Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) announced an inter agency effort for the “Kambalingan sa Marawi” or return in Marawi of IDPs whose houses are in nonaffected areas, Omaira cannot hide her joy after hearing this good news.

Being a widow for more than 4 years at the same time stricken by misfortunes brought by last year’s displacement, rebuilding her home is a far fetched dream for her today.

“Apia buh atep na kapakay ako den a kumasoy ko walay aken” she said positively. For her, iprovision of a roof for her destroyed house will be enough for them to live there

again.

As a strong and determined woman, Omaira and her family returned to Marawi and has established a small livelihood sustaining their daily needs.

A mini store in-front of their burned-down house was a good enough start as soon as she was abele to receive the P5000.00 cash assistance for Kambalingan program. She invested the money by selling different fresh fruits, banana queue and suman.

One cannot imagine the struggles of a widow with 3 children to raise in the midst of Marawi crisis. However, the strength of Omaira has

shown another face of a resilient and strong IDP Mom. She filled herself with positive outlook in life and brought hope to her family by starting all over again despite of losing everything.

She is just an ordinary IDP but her resilience and determination to move on is worth emulating. She really

He, together with his wife, engaged in doing business while still farming. His wife made products out from their own produce which made him an entrepreneur as well.

He gradually bought lands to expand his farming area through his savings and profit. “Sa lawak ng lupa, ganoon din ang laki ng kita pero kailangan talaga ng sipag at tiyaga,” he said.

His three children graduated college. Two of them became licensed professional teacher and an agriculture engineer, respectively.

Now, Esposo earns more than a million annually. He has opened employment to fellow farmers who works with him in his now 47-hectare land. He owns one service car in which he uses for his family affairs.

He is earning as well from his 10-wheeler truck, two 6-wheeler trucks and two tractors in which he made for rent to fellow farmers.

It didn’t end there. He also bought house and lot in Valencia, Bukidnon where his market is. He has a house also in Cagayan de Oro City where one of his children stays. But he remains in his farm in Barangay Milaya, Wao, Lanao del Sur. Indeed, with best efforts and goals to hit, hardest days of farming will somehow glimmer with something grand. Grand enough for a farmer who wishes not tall buildings or luxurious cars but a good quality life for his family.

deserves to be acknowledged.

She took all her chances of making better days out of continuous displacements.

(This story can be your stories too. Please write to us and send us your resilience story at soarhighMarawiAken@ gmail.com)

OPINION

November 2018

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Editorial

The Pen

The pen is so significant that Surah 68 of the Holy Quran is entitled Al-Qalam which means the pen. In this present day, the pen has become the sword of the Muslims to fight against evil in all forms. As Muslims, we cannot underestimate the power of the pen. It can make and unmake a nation because of the expression of the truth through its might.

In the present world we live in. The sword (representing violence) is never a solution to our day to day problems and challenges. Because of this, this Marawi Aken maiden issue is our instrument in providing proper information and delivering inspiring stories of ordinary people in different walks of lives.

This newspaper is aimed at spreading hope as we celebrate the meaning and beauty of proper information for the sake of pleasing Allah.

One of the greatest gifts of a free society is the right to free speech. This is the value that we are giving in this platform. We hope to gather the brilliant writers of Lanao and become part of this advocacy of sending the truth and making the awareness of our day to day activity part of our routine. Expressing one’s ideas through words can be more powerful because it can change a behavior for a lifetime. It can be through words that we can inspire our people in doing what is best and what is not.

As a platform for Meranaws, this newspaper is inspired by so many verses in the Qur’an such as the verse encouraging the Muslims to read. The Surah Al-Alaq (96:1) that says “read in the name of your lord…” This very first ayah given to the prophet has brought humanity the message to always seek for the truth and be aware through reading.

This makes words as powerful means in delivering the truth through our pen.

Hence, this Marawi Aken newspaper has now come to you and will be part of your every reading experience. May we all be instruments of Islam and peace as we write and express the truth.

Kalumbayan in Focus

The Meranaw in the Big Metro Hanna Bint Shedique B. Alug

You wake up one morning and smile. You hear the sound of the rain, pouring heavily outside the comfort of your bed. The feeling of home engulfs you with comfort, chasing your worries away. Except you hear the sound of the LRT passing by and realize ̶ you were not home. You drift away from the familiar feeling the rain sound gives you and wake up to the bustling city of Manila. With a heavy heart, you try to close your eyes, and imagine you were back home. And then you wonder, “When did it start?”. The rain you hated so much back home, was now the only thing that gives you a feeling of comfort.

When you go for a stroll in the mall, and you see a family shopping together, you’ll feel sad and lonely. But you won’t be able to do anything except to shake it off. I’m sure people back home will think you’re ‘living the life’.

They will think you’re having the time of your life in the big metro, seeing your posts with your new friends. But of course. Because the only thing you’ll be able to share are happy times. Because whenever you let your feeling of sadness out, some of them might taunt you for stupidly thinking you could make it in the big metro.

Eventually, you’ll learn to hide your real feelings. I’m sure there will be days when you get a call from your parents, asking how you were doing, and you answer them with a pained ‘I’m fine’ and crying your heart out when the call ends. Because the last thing you

will want is to make your parents worry.

Living in a place far away from home is no easy task. Much more, if you’re studying in a university that will definitely test your will to go on. There won’t be any room for mistakes. And there will surely be a lot of changes. The excitement you feel every time you board a plane to Manila during your vacations will be changed with sadness as you leave the island of Mindanao to your new ‘home’.

When you get to Manila, you will start to be conscious of yourself and your surroundings. The norm you were used to is no longer ‘the norm’. You might feel different at first, but eventually you’ll learn to blend in. But you must keep in mind that blending in doesn’t mean conforming to the standards

of their society. You have to learn to blend in by understanding the society they live in, and letting them understand as well the values and culture you grew up in. For me, this was the key that made me stop feeling alienated.

You might feel paranoia of being discriminated at first.

But you shouldn’t give in to that feeling. Because at least to your surroundings, you are their image of a Meranaw, of a Muslim. I’m sure it would be challenging. Yet, if you’re able to let your peers understand and appreciate your culture and your religion, it will be very rewarding. I remember my block mate telling me, “I’m glad you became our friend.

Otherwise, I’ll grow up thinking Muslims really are terrorists.” And when I heard that, I realized, that

though they were very welcoming when we first met, these thoughts were sometimes inevitable. And who else will be able to clear all their misconceptions other than us Muslims ourselves?

As someone from Marawi, you should expect to be asked about the Marawi Siege. And because there are a lot of dynamics and controversies surrounding the said event, you’ll have to be careful and choose your words wisely. But no matter what, do not deprive them of the truth. Of what you had gone through, and how things are different for everyone.

You will learn how to speak while taking into account different perspectives. Why? Because you’re their direct image and the representation of your people in their eyes, you must not be biased, and therefore must avoid generalizing.

There are a lot of sacrifices you will have to make. And in these sacrifices, I’m sure people

you’re working hard for won’t be able to understand you at times.

They will think you’re doing this for yourself. And because of this, you might think of giving up. But through it all, you must always remember, that this was an opportunity to be taken so that you’ll finally be able to look at your homeland from outside the box. And through this, you would see that the house that you were in for all your life was actually a castle of gold. And no matter how hard it is to live life alone, and in a distant place, you must not stop at all costs until you’ve helped the world see how beautiful your homeland is.

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NEWS Siyap, Iskolar ago Kawiyagan 4

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November 2018

Nurfatmah Y. Abduljalil

Marawi City—Local government unit of Marawi City through the leadership of Mayor Majul U. Gandamra has started its way to help and assist the people of Marawi by providing activities and programs for the good of the people of Marawi. The city has recently concluded several projects: ● Siyap ko Kalilintad (Care for Peace) was held on October 14 to 17, 2018 with its activities as part of the commemoration of Marawi Siege last year.

The said program is part of the effort and initiative of the LGU for the restoration and rehabilitation of the city. This included free health and social services to the people. Along with it are services such as distribution of relief goods,

medical mission for both optical and dental health as provided by the city health office. Many availed too on the services for free registration of birth certificates, skills trainings for employment, various programs for sustainable livelihood. With the LGU’s partner agencies, series of peace lectures were also given to the constituents and Marawi. ● ISKOLAR SA MARAWI On October 18, 2018 scholarship grants from partnership of LGU of Marawi City and Muntilupa City were successfully awarded to a number of grantees. The awarding ceremony was attended by TFBM Chairman Del Rosario who gave a short message to the grantees and their parents. A lecture

on youth was also given by Hon. Jamil Faisal S. Adiong while Alim Adbulhakim Siddiq inspired these scholars with a religious lecture. ● Kawiyagan Expo: Sustaining Livelihood in Marawi As part of Bangon Marawi program, TFBM sustainable livelihood with its partners for business and livelihood programs, Marawi City LGU and other line agencies. A Kawiyagan Expo (Livelihood Expo) is done monthly providing grants and supports to the IDPs. The recent expo was held on October 25, 2018 where many IDPs benefited from the offered services and supports from different offices.

CRS selling goods during the 3rd month of Kawyagan.

PESO Manager Cabsaran Ali A. Pacasum delivering message during the 2nd month of Kawyagan.

TESDA Officials with IDPs of Marawi.

October 25, 2018 MARADECA products.

August 25, 2018 DTI food cart beneficiary.

FAO booth during the Launching of Kawyagan.

Panamar ko Kawyagan Norhanifah O. Mangotara

August 25, 2018: Kawyagan launching with TFBM Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario, Marawi City Mayor Atty. Majul U. Gandamra and DTI Officials.

CFSI livelihood support team on the 3rd month of Kawyagan.

It has been over a year since Marawi cataclysm happened and no one could ever forget the agony and misery it caused to every Marawi people. As ISIS Maute group tried to dominate the only Islamic City of the Philippines, the town center of Lanao del Sur, the devastation results to thousands displaced individuals.

Homes are destroyed and livelihoods are paralyzed. Traders and business individuals within the torn city experienced difficulty in sustaining their daily needs. This is where Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) in partnership with

the Local Government Unit of Marawi City and the amalgamation of different government agencies and Mindanao Humanitarian Teams took the initiative in creating “Kawiyagan: Siyap sa Marawi, Gagaw ko Pagtao.”

Kawiyagan is a platform for good collaboration in helping and lessening the on-going burden. Through this platform, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) as well as affected individuals from Marawi City received livelihood tools and cash assistance from different line agencies who are part of the livelihood and business synergy such as DTI,

DSWD, TESDA, DAR, DA, EAST WEST SEED, BFAR, FAO, WFP, CFSI, DUYOG, CRS, MARADECA, AAH, PIA, PDRN, LGU-Marawi.

Kawiyagan is a monthly event which started during its launching on August 25, 2018 with the presence of the Marawi City Mayor, Attorney Majul Usman Gandamra, together with the Task Force Bangon Marawi Secretary and assistant secretary, Eduardo Del Rosario and Felix Castro, Jr. Last September 27, and October 25, 2018 were the dates for rolling of the second and third months of Kawiyagan.

DSWD Cash for Work for Marawi IDPs.

September 27, 2018 TESDA registration.

LGU-Marawi leads the distribution of Agricultural goods.

IDPs of Marawi are offered by different organizations with livelihood programs.

TESDA free haircut service

Photos by Norhanifah Osop Mangotara

FEATURE

November 2018

Johaniah N. Yusoph

Can’t say No to Nusa I got pretty stoked when I heard that cousins and uncles are planning to go to Nusa Island on a Sunday.

Yep! You read it right.

Nusa Island. The very known Nusa which I believed to be the place for criminals and addicts who need rehabilitation. I pictured it as an Island with biggest jail on it.

With these thoughts in mind, instantly the adventurous spirit in me got really excited knowing that I will be venturing into

something I have never been to. ➢ HOW TO GET THERE Coming from my mother’s hometown in the 2nd District of Lanao del Sur, the Municipality of Tugaya, we went to Brgy. Raya of Wato Balindong where the boat terminal going to Nusa Island is.

With private car, it took us twenty minutes to get there.

We rode into the boats that locals usually call “pambot.”

The sun was strikingly

beautiful making the clear water look tempting.

As we were moving with light waves hitting our little boat that adds to our excited energies, I felt a deep sense of gratitude in me while marvelling at the view of the sky, the lake, the mountains.

“Subhanallah,” I silently uttered. I could only praise The Almighty ALLAH for His Might and Power.

The whole trip, I couldn’t take my eyes off the beautiful sight. Finally, after fifteen minutes, we reached Nusa

Island. We then paid hundred pesos only for the one-way boat ride. ➢ WHAT’S IN NUSA? The first thing I noticed was the masjid in the edge of the island. Standing from there, I saw again the picturesque view of the lake and the mountains. Surely the millenials who love to take “instagrammable” photos will love the scenery.

We walked further and there I discovered there are residential houses in the island. I had goose bumps as I was walking around the area.

It was very silent. I could only hear the sound of the leaves as the wind embraces the trees. It was that silent that I can only hear my breathing as well.

People there are very warm as they extend their “salam” to you.

Then as we move further, I noticed the clean and green environment that is very ideal for gardening.

I walked briskly as I was excited to see if there is this big jail that I have been imagining since I was a kid.

But there was none. Yes, there was none. I secretly laughed at myself for even imagining such until I saw that small building with the signage

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“122nd Base Command, AlMahakkim Shari’ah.”

There were men in uniform around the place and before I could go nearer, we were instructed to leave our phones and sign for the visitor’s log book.

I learned that many of our fellow Meranaos visit Nusa to seek justice that is based on Shari’ah.

Just like the White Island of Camiguin, families and friends may go and have simple picnic there while admiring the view, swim in the clear and clean water or even simply watch the sunset with loved ones. But since the island is not yet open for tourism, visitors should go with local tourguide from the area.

Nusa Island may not offer that much but to the adventurer kid in me, it is always exciting to see and explore new places especially in my own land, Lanao del Sur. I no longer want to be a foreign in my own land as I want to continue find beauty in those things and places I previously took for granted.

Now, my “happy feet” is already excited where will be the next destination. Join me in unleashing the beauty of our Lanao del Sur.

Cultural Search continues Sorhaila Yusoph

The youth of today have become aliens to their own culture due to the introduction of other cultures presented in the Media.

Including the Meranaw culture, it now counts among subjects of discourses of endangerment. It is under threat. Inter-generational cultural transmission is practically ill.

With what happened to the Marawi properties and structures after the Marawi siege, the Meranaw people who have lived harmoniously with its cultural assets for centuries now have become a past that cannot be reconstructed in just a snap. The tangible cultural heritage of the Meranaw present in the old houses in Marawi city center are now lost and may be forgotten through time.

Thanks to the initiative of Sen. Loren Legarda, she has convinced the Philippine government to enhance

the Mindanao State University’s general appropriation for 2018 to fund the budget for a cultural mapping program for the Meranaw culture. This program has started and have become the source of inspiration of the MSU cultural researchers to leave a legacy for the new generation of Meranaws.

The program is called Meranaw Then and Now: Cultural Mapping Program and Reconstruction of the Meranaw Culture.

What happened to the Marawi catastrophe have been very tragic to the lives of the Marawians but this tragic phenomenon meant the loss of a wealth of knowledge and accumulated wisdom, arts and crafts, and a people’s (the Meranaws’) originality and creativity a s well. It is indeed the

best time now to preserve what is left for us to treasure—the Meranaw culture.

After the series of consultations with the different municipalities of Lanao del Sur and Marawi City, The mapping has now started.

The efforts of Mindanao State University and its experts have now began the search to preserve what is left for us so we can transfer and preserve for the next generation.

At present, the MSU cultural mapping team has continued their entry protocol visits in the different Municipalities in Lanao. It will start its first level survey with the farthest part of the province, the Municipalities of Bumbaran and Wao on November 10. This shall be the gateway to the many opportunities that our children of today can start to appreciate, the Meranaw Then and Now…

October 30, 2018 with the Officials of Piagapo Municipality, Lanao del Sur.

Torogan at Bubong Municipality, Lanao del Sur.

October 30, 2018 with the Officials of Maguing Municipality, Lanao del Sur.

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FEATURE

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November 2018

Soar High Mobile Library Norhanifah O. Mangotara

A literacy initiative for Lanao that has started in 2014 and now on its fourth year of implementation with the help of various donors and project grants all over the world to enhance the power of reading in the Meranaw Society.

In 2014, Soar High Knowledge Foundation launched its first mobile library at the Barrio of Calokan West, Marawi

City and has become the inspiration of the couple Engr. Ali and Sorhaila Yusoph to pursue its goals for enhancing literacy programs for Lanao. This year, Soar High Mobile Library got the chance to bring more inspiring stories to Lanao Schools and Out of School Youth and Marawi City IDPs because of the assistance that individuals and organizations pour and

provide in order to sustain the project. According to the couple, “Apya daden a donation, itataros ami so panaguntaman. Igira aden a myakaugop, mga volunteers and book donors na mas pkababayaan ami ka an tanu langon phakaugop.” These are the inspiring words that have helped the story of bringing stories to the land more inspiring.

Photos by Norhanifah Osop Mangotara

Creating spaces against Vawc Sorhaila Yusoph

Photo by AMDF

Photo by Sorhaila Yusoph

Part of my advocacy as a communication specialist, I am studying and sharing the relevance of communication between children and parents. As a parent of four, I have had my share of rearing children with different likes and dislikes. However, the greatest challenge to parents these days is the means to communicate and be part of our children’s world.

In the series of Creating Spaces Youth Camps and Parent’s Trainings held by the Al Mujadillah Development Foundation, I have surveyed the greatest fear and source of conflict between parents and their children. Parents cannot understand the world of their children for they are glued to their cellphones and friends, while children are complaining of the misunderstanding that their parents see from what they do using the media.

The above information gap is a result of miscommunication or the lack of communication at all. This gap shouldn’t be taken for granted because it may become the source of violence against women and children. Hence, the AMDF’s goal for creating spaces for these parents and children is successful enough.

From the design of the program, AMDF’s Creating Spaces to Take action against Violence against women and Girls seeks to reduce violence against women and girls, and to reduce the prevalence of child, early and forced marriage in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Philippines. Funded by Global Affairs in Canada, this five-year project (2016-2021) works with 214,000 beneficiaries across the six countries engaging with influencers (religious, community, private sector, political actors, and youth), men and boys and women and girls who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing violence, as well as institution and alliances that are engaged influencing change.

Creating Spaces takes an approach that prevents, responds to, and ensure that sustainability of interventions to violence against women and girls. The objectives of the training design are: 1. To increase of parents on identities, SRHR with focus on VAWC and CEFM. 2. To orient parents on significant lose on women and children specifically VAWC and CMPL. 3. To teach parents on how to critically reflect on parenting styles that promote women and girls positive self-construct and preventing VZWG and early marriage.

4. To promote behavioral change of parents and children in terms of dealing with VAWG/CEFM cases or situations.

5. To create a hub/group of parents who are actively advocating against VAWG/ CEFM. The above objectives are inspired by the AMDF’s goal to end VAWG. For the group, Violence against women in many countries throughout Asia is rising rapidly. It takes a huge toll on families, economies and productivity, and violates the rights of women and girls. The widespread prevalence of violence against women and girls is particularly acute when it comes to domestic violence and marital rape, as well as child early and forced marriages. Despite considerable progress in establishing legislation and policies, implementation of these has been slow. The slow pace of change is largely the result of deeply entrenched cultural values, attitudes and practices that are rooted in gender stereotypes and discrimination that perpetuate exploitation and violence against women and girls.

Therefore, all of us must take action. More activities leading towards understanding one another starting from the smallest unit of the society such as the family is an important asset today. Start from your family, now!

OPINION

November 2018

Anda so Sarig?

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(Orignal Title: Distrust or Money?)

By Prof. Sorhaila Latip-Yusoph Originally published in SunStar.ph

Make no mistakes, my friends. Islam abhors corruption. This rings a bell, right?

We see how people these days rant online about corruption in any organization whose life-blood is money. What makes the government bureaucracy worse is the deadline that they give to line agencies when it comes to closing of books of accounts budgeted for the year. December, the last month of the year is just at the corner. This means that all line agencies of the government should disburse all the remaining cash before the end of the year.

This does not excuse the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDP’s) in Marawi. These past few days, we were made to go through another long queue just to be profiled for the infinite time.

Profilers said that they cannot trust the profiles made by the department of social welfare and development (DSWD), so they needed to go through the process, again!

Whew! Is this a result of distrust in the government or just merely establishing the need to spend money before the year ends?

Since the first few weeks of the siege, the Marawi people were made to fill out forms from different organizations, photocopy personal documents, get interviewed by profilers and legal workers, and so on.

However, until today, after over 500 days after the declaration of martial law, the government line agencies cannot issue a good list mentioning the final profiles of the IDPs of Marawi.

According to a story by an IDP, Ms. Zahria Muti-Mapandi narrated, “Our latest experience on this profiling is the TFBM’s call for KHATANOR

During the DTI profiling at Marawi City Hall Quadrangle.

where each family is required to bring all the members (5 year old and up) to a designated venue on a designated day. Unfortunately since the schedule was on a weekday the kids cannot come and I could not also come due to my condition. Only my husband and eldest were able to go bringing all our IDP documents and even our passports as proof of our existence.”

She even added that they were not able to undergo the profiling because they were not complete. “This means there were no consideration for the vulnerable persons nor those who are indisposed for various valid reasons. They also included taking picture and fingerprints which are scary given what they can do with this info. They were also very clear that it was only for profiling and no guarantee if this is the process (given the many initiatives on profiling) where we could be compensated for our losses or guaranteed return in the ground-zero. So until now we are waiting for our next schedule.

And please do not use this process to exclude those of us who cannot comply to your schedule and requirements that do not consider special needs and vulnerabilities.”

Yes, this delay is probably caused by many factors but what makes it puzzling is that, we already are in this modern and hi-tech world where encoding, storing and sorting can now be done in just a few clicks on our computers. We can even share data from one agency to the other online.

Months ago, the OXFAM sa Pilipinas consulted me of the possibility to popularize the financial inclusion program they have for IDPs. In this program, selected few IDPs were finally profiled and put in a database where an official issuance of an identification card cum debit card is made possible with the support of SMART Telecom and PayMaya. The program allowed the IDPs to have their own cards which served as their cash cards as well. Donors can just deposit their supports through the database.

If a non-government agency waiting for funders to fuel their initiatives

can think of this breakthrough for IDPs, why can’t our strong government line agencies? In fact, for government workers, we can easily be tracked via GSIS ID. We have enlisted our addresses long time ago. Barangay clusters under the ground zero or war-torn areas are identified areas

iAFFORD (e-puyot) card for IDPs.

already. They may have spared the government workers from the long queue done by different agencies. Then they can focus on the nongovernment connected individuals especially the businessmen who lost millions in the war.

I am not writing this because I wanted to teach the government in what they should and had done. I am writing this because I am already disgusted and frustrated in the piles of paper, time and efforts of people being wasted. According to a close relative who has evacuated to Cagayan de Oro, she had to travel and spend five hundred pesos to be in Marawi and be profiled by the Department of Trade and Industry with their promise to provide “Kabuhayan” package which she has not received until today. They were also asked to photocopy all documents that will prove their being IDPs, etc. for an amount they have not estimated.

What does this mean? The previous lists and profiles have failed to report the right people who needed help? If there were lists made and analyzed cases of the IDPs, they could have just traced and sorted the names of the people who are in dire need and have come to provide them with the exact “Kabuhayan” package that they are willing to give and not just give false hopes and undying promises.

What is worse is that there are people on the side making their conclusions that these profiling thing is just a result of a faulty listing made by previous organizations that needed to be validated by the other.

Really, are we still profiling after a year now?

Pathetic, right? I pity the poor IDPs queueing under the heat of the sun again and again with the hope that they can finally get back on their feet or at least get a little amount of money to provide for their families

During the DTI profiling at Marawi City Hall Quadrangle.

daily.

Annoying as it may appear but I am wishing that one day, this idea of profiling and validating will come to an end. I would like to see my people walking towards the ground zero and finally claiming what is due to them.

Dear government, we have waited for so long already. We have suffered so much now to be taken for granted. We deserve to be welltreated because we did not want this war to happen and destroy our properties.

Please do not give us happiness that is fugacious enough that can only last for a day. Give us what we deserve and that is our home, our identity.

Photos by Norhanifah Osop Mangotara

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Marawi Aken Editorial Board H. Latifa Sorhaila Yusoph – Editor-in-Chief Aisha Polong -Finance Manager Fathma Maruja Ramalan – Marketing Officer Ali Yusoph – Cartoonist/ Photographer News writers and Contibutors Alwidad Abbas Basher-Batabor Norhanifah O. Mangotara Johaniah N. Yusoph Nurfatmah Y. Abduljalil Hanna Bint Shedique B. Alug Khayronesah P. Abbas (Photos)

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AISAH C. POLONG 0975-397-0644 marawiaken soarhighmarawiaken@gmail.com