MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--To continue the aid for internally displaced persons (IDPs) critically affected by the siege four years ago, the 55th Engineer Brigade alongside the 553rd Engineer Battalion, Special Action Force and Volunteers in Service, Inc. brought various essential services to residents in Mipaga Transitory Shelter here during their outreach program Saturday, March 5.
Among the assistance served were free circumcision, haircut, feeding program, medical check-up and bloodletting which targeted to benefit roughly 200 to 300 people.
2LT Keeley Joy Betinio of the 55th Engineer Brigade said the event was part of their twice a month community outreach in connection to the thrust of the Army Transformation Roadmap which is to serve the people and secure the land.
She further stated that they are spearheading this, seeing that target beneficiaries struggled even more in seeking necessary services in this time of health crisis.
“Since the pandemic struck, hindi nakakavail ang mga tao ng services lalo na dito sa temporary shelters. It is our objective na ihatid sa kanila iyong mga services na kailangan nila, lalo na sa health,” said Betinio.
[Since the pandemic struck, people especially here in temporary shelters, cannot avail of services. It is our objective to deliver to them the services they need, especially in health.]
Such was affirmed by the 553rd Engineer Battalion through its Civil-Military Operations OIC-Battalion Executive Major Larry Camacam who conveyed that IDPs still need aid even after the siege as the impact brought by the tragedy is serious.
He stressed that the army has been committed to helping civilians and the proof of that is their initiative of building temporary units in Brgy. Mipaga way back last quarter of 2017 when affected residents of the siege needed shelters.
With their continuous effort of reaching out to citizens, the military encouraged resilience for they will not be alone, rather, they will be backed.
“Be strong. Nandito kami para sa inyo. Habang kaya namin magservice at tumulong sa inyo, nandito kami [We are here for you. Until we can do service and help you, we will be here],” said Camacam. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)
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