Gov’t, CFSI join hands to deliver basic services to Marawi locals

Story originally published by the Philippine Information Agency on June 20, 2023

By Claire Gigje

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)–The Community and Family Services International (CFSI), together with the city government of Marawi through its City Health Office (CHO), and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), have banded together to show their dedication to serving needy constituents in this city by delivering basic services closer to the community.

With their one goal, these three entities led a community outreach program at Hadiya Village in Barangay Dulay West here, June 15.

The CHO headed the provision of medical assistance, which included nutrition, maternal and dental services, a tuberculosis (TB) program, coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 immunization, and the distribution of free medicine, while the PSA conducted a national identification (ID) registration and verification.

CFSI Community Organizer Abdulharon Sainoden said the community outreach program was under their Harmony Learning Center Project, implemented in the same area.

He explained that this effort aims to promote the health and safety of community members, especially children. Additionally, this has been promoting social protection so that parents and their children won’t feel left out and unreachable by basic services.

With their activity successfully concluded, Sainoden encouraged the locals in this city not to lose hope, especially since his organization is doing its best to help in any possible way.

“Tuloy-tuloy lang ang pagtulong ng CFSI. Basta kaya ng CFSI ay ibibigay namin. We will provide kahit ano iyan basta kaya namin,” he said.

(The help of CFSI is continuous. As long as CFSI can do it, we will give it. We will provide anything as long as we can)

CHO Chief Dr. Ali Dalidig, on the other hand, shared that they visited Hadiya Village as they acknowledged that the residents needed their presence.

He stated that this was also under the directive of Mayor Majul Gandamra, which was to aid the internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially since they have not yet returned to their former homes in ground zero.

Dalidig conveyed that this highlighted as well one of the city government’s flagship programs, dubbed “MUGSerbisyo,” which has long been enforced with the mission of visiting all barangays in this locality and rendering medical services.

Amidst their recent public service, the CHO chief called on the unvaccinated population to submit themselves to the nearest health facility and be inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccines to be protected.

“Kahit hindi na masyadong marami ang mga COVID-19 positive, kami ay nananawagan pa rin sa inyo upang tuluyan nang mapuksa ang COVID-19. Magpabakuna tayo,” said Dalidig.

(Although the positive cases of COVID-19 have already declined, we are still appealing to all of you to finally end COVID-19. Let us get vaccinated)

The health official urged the public to also see to it that their kids have taken their measles, rubella, and oral polio vaccines.

Dalidig likewise underscored that pregnant women would be welcomed in the new city health unit, which offers free service.

Meanwhile, the PSA carried on its duty of ensuring that every eligible individual is registered to have a national ID, which has been a requirement for all citizens in this country.

PSA-Marawi City Registration Center Supervisor Asnoniesalyn Maongco said there were teams deployed in different barangays in the city to cater to residents who are yet to register.

She expounded that through this idea, interested registrants would not struggle with their transportation as the service would already be near them.

Maongco detailed that individuals five years old and older could register for their national ID.

She noted that anyone willing would only need to bring their birth certificate or any valid ID, while minors would be asked to present the consent of their parents or guardians.

“This is for everyone. Sa mga hindi pa nakapagnational (for those who do not yet have national) ID, we encourage everyone to be convinced na magregister at magkaroon na ng (to register and have their) national ID,” said Maongco. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)

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CFSI has provided support to over 65,000 people in Marawi through the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP) and the Marawi COVID Recovery Project (MCRP), supported by the Australian Government since 2017. With a lot more to do, CFSI remains committed to rebuilding lives in partnership with LGUs and people affected by the 2017 Siege of Marawi and the COVID-19 pandemic.