Cebu City to donate P1-M worth of rice to Marawi City

THE Cebu City Government will extend P1 million worth of rice to the families affected and displaced by the ongoing armed clash between the Maute Group and government troops in Marawi City.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who met with local Muslim leaders yesterday, said that the relief assistance will be charged to the City’s disaster fund.

The measure, though, has to be approved by the City Council before the funding for the donation is released.

Alvin Dizon, chair of the Cebu City Anti-Discrimination Commission, said the aid will be coursed through the National Food Authority 7.

“We found during the consultation through our Muslim brothers that food supply and potable water are what the people in Marawi really need, especially with the observance of the Ramadan. We’ll have the assistance sent as soon as possible,” Dizon said in an interview with reporters yesterday.

To ensure that the relief goods reach the affected families, Dizon said that the mayor has asked for the assistance of former Iligan City mayor Franklin Quijano.

Local Muslim leaders in the city have also expressed willingness to facilitate the distribution of the rice donation to the families.

“We will personally go to all the evacuation areas to make sure that the City’s assistance will reach the evacuees,” said Ayaon “Sultan Nair” Punot of the Office of Muslim Affairs and Indigenous Community.

Aside from the rice aid, Osmeña has also directed Councilor Dave Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters, to coordinate with the military in identifying Cebuanos trapped in Mindanao so that the City can facilitate their return.

Alaina Macabato and Salmah Abdullah, both teachers at the Zapatera Elementary School, are stranded in Iligan after the fled from Marawi due to the ongoing siege and may not make it to the school opening on June 5.