Peace on Mindanao, good will to Maranaos

DaDiTaMa’s ocular visit for Duyog Marawi

Maranaos are resilient. They take pride in not asking for help. They try to stand on their own. Thus, any help done, Maranaos consider them not as relief operation but just gift-giving.

During the ocular visit of the Social Action Ministry from the Archdiocese of Davao, Dioceses of Digos, Tagum and Mati at Marawi City last month, the mode and the whole concept of Duyog Marawi as a program for rehabilitation was clarified.

Believed to have no political agenda, unlike other groups, the DADITAMA delegates felt the heartfelt welcome of Maranaos in the area. Issues of doubt and trust still exist among the victims of the tragedy.

During the visit, they found out also that some children were having skin diseases and others suffer community sickness of cough, colds, fever and among others. The group had the chance to visit the house where it all began.

The “ground zero” wherein the exact location of turmoil happened was still closed from visitors, for there might be bombs that will explode. They were accompanied by MILF group as their guards.

Upon their visit the group gathered the following data: 360 families and comprising of not only the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) but also the family that hosted them; mothers: 236; fathers: 209; senior citizens: 52; children: 562: youth: 377; adult: 146.

Proposed Participation of DADITAMA
Each Diocese will support the community for 1 month with 400 families all in all. Last November the diocese of Digos already went there, this month will be the diocese of Tagum, on January, the archdiocese for Davao, and on February will be for the diocese of Mati.

Hygiene kits will be given which consist of kids’ toothbrush, face towel and bath soap. Writing materials such as notebooks, crayons, coupon bonds and pencils will also be given. Also, food packs will be distributed as suggested which will consist of 20 Kilograms of Rice, 1 liter of cooking oil, 1 Kg of sugar, 1 Kg of salt, 1 Kg of monggo beans. There will be plans in rebuilding the church. Lastly, every diocese was encouraged to conduct medical missions and Christian Muslim community dialogue.

Duyog Marawi Campaign is not merely a disaster–relief program. It is more of community peace building effort. Relief assistance will come as an act of good will to help and is not done independent from their peace effort dialogue in the community. It is also a part of the whole coordinated effort with the Government’s plan of rebuilding Marawi i.e. BANGON MARAWI. Other campaigns initiated by others – TABANG MARAWI by Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, BARUG MARAWI by Diocese of Iligan, but now they are one with DUYOG MARAWI campaign. (Karl John Zsygfrydd Calvez | HCDC Intern)