OPAPP continues assistance for IDPs amid COVID-19 threat 

ILIGAN CITY, Apr. 4 (PIA) — Amid the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has continued providing support for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Marawi City.

OPAPP distributed 25 kilos of rice each to 120 families temporarily sheltered in Bakwit Village Phase 1, Matungao, Lanao del Norte.

The house-to-house distribution was supported by the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion and 12th Civil-Military Operations Battalion of the Philippine Army.

OPAPP Program Manager James Abdul shared that the distribution is part of the agency’s initial efforts for the Duyog Ramadhan activity.

Since 2017, OPAPP has been promoting social healing among IDPs and has been providing support in observing their religious practices. 

To address the issues in getting access to potable water, TFBM Field Office Assistant Secretary Felix Castro Jr. said that the 4th Mechanized Infantry “Kalasag” Battalion will coordinate with the municipal government of Matungao to find a possible solution.

Castro also shared that he already coordinated with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) as they might help in getting access to potable water for the IDPs.

Funded by gaming revenues, the temporary community was built with the collaboration of PAGCOR and the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators Group. 

OPAPP is a member of TFBM’s Subcommittee on Security, Peace and Order. (LELA/PIA ICIC)

source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1038054