The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) awarded 10,582 internally displaced persons (IDPs) of the Marawi siege with various livelihood starter kits in 2019.

This was revealed during the Bangon Marawi Press Briefing on November 28, 2019 at Grand Caprice Restaurant, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City.

DTI is at 64.5% in accomplishing the provision of livelihood assistance to the Marawi beneficiaries, with 19,500 livelihood starter kits distributed in the previous year.

10,000 sari-sari store; 4,113 sewing; 9,869 bigasan; 3,000 baking; 3,000 karinderia; 1,000 school supplies; and 100 construction tool starter kits have been released since 2017.

DTI Regional Director Linda Boniao, who represented Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman, said that more than P10 million was also allocated for marketing the products of Maranaos. “Business is alive in Marawi and Lanao del Sur,” she added.

Maranao products have been displayed and sold in 10 trade fairs across the nation through the marketing assistance program. Retail spaces in malls and other selling platforms in 12 key cities were also provided to promote and sell Maranao products.

The Bangon Marawi press briefing panelists include Colonel Jose Maria Cuerpo II, Acting Commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade; Roderick Ibañez of National Housing Authority (NHA)-9 and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM); Secretary Eduardo del Rosario of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Chairperson; and Assistant Secretary Felix Castro Jr. of HUDCC and TFBM Field Office Manager. ♦

Date of Release: 28 November 2019