SOME 50 families displaced by the siege in Marawi City received yesterday the first batch of relief assistance from the Cebu City Government and some members of the private sector.

They were given bags of groceries. Each family will also receive 10 kilos of rice once these will be delivered by the City’s supplier.

“We will be distributing the next batch of relief aid in the coming days. We hope to extend more goods from the donations of those with kind hearts,” said Office of the Muslim Affairs Commissioner Ayaon “Sultan Naif” Punot.

There are around 130 Maranao families from Marawi City who are taking refuge in Cebu City.

Punot said Cebu City will distribute 800 sacks of rice in the coming days to the next batch of beneficiaries.

The purchase of rice was charged against the City’s calamity fund this year.

Aside from the relief assistance, the City also held a medical mission for the refugees yesterday at the lobby of the City Hall’s legislative building.

A group of doctors from the Cebu City Medical Center attended to the refugees and also distributed medicines for colds for free.

Welcome

“As new citizens of the city, we want the refugees to experience the same services our constituents are receiving from the City Government. They are always welcome here and we will take care of them,” said Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos, deputy mayor for health.

Ador Macamimis, a 62-year-old engineer surveyor, said that the relief goods will help them start their lives again here.

Like many Marawi City refugees, he was not able to salvage any belongings. Macamimis, his wife and four grandchildren fled from their hometown last May 29.

“Despite the tragedy, we have to rise up. More than receiving these goods, it’s the thought of the people of Cebu being so welcoming of us that keeps me going. This is one of the many reasons why we chose to seek shelter in Cebu City among all places,” he told SunStar Cebu.