Infrastructure projects, peace efforts keep families together

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Feb. 5 (PIA) --- Provincial Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong, Jr. take pride in helping Maranaos in the province to stay connected and maintain strong family ties.

Citing the necessity for Maranao families to get together often, Adiong said he had constructed, repaired and/or renovated 224 barangay roads, 32 provincial roads, one diversion road, 55 tire paths, eight pathways, 12 bridges, 11 foot bridges, and 25 streetlights in the 39 municipalities in the province from 2008 to 2015.

He said these infrastructure projects have helped around 934,000 people of Lanao del Sur to stay connected with family and friends.

Family unity in Lanao del Sur can also be witnessed through “rido” or family feuds and clan wars which have been existing since the 1930s. If a member of one family is wronged by another family, the former shall be avenged by his relatives. Causes of rido vary from petty offenses, land disputes, political rivalry, homicide, murder, and usually, shaming or hurting the honor of a certain family.

To resolve these feuds, families usually turn to the Shariah Law, local government units, police enforcers, military personnel, and respected elders of society.

There are also cases where blood money has to be paid to the family wronged by the offending party.

From 2009 to 2015, Governor Adiong has helped resolve 139 cases of assorted disputes with the help of his Council of Elders, Provincial Advisory Council, Federation of the Royal Sultanate of Lanao, and the Provincial Peace and Order Council.

Adiong said investing time and effort to keep families close and at peace with one another willensure the success of peace and development initiatives in Lanao del Sur. (PIO-Lanao del Sur/PIA-10)