Iligan City, April 12 | On March 31, at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, the heavily armed persons believed to be members of the CPP-NPA, attacked but failed to overrun the detachment of the army and Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in Sitio Binasan killing one Renie Cunto, a CAFGU member from Poblacion, Rogongon.
Loud explosion due to shelling of rebel positions and the sporadic gun-battles in the outskirt of the community deeply scared the civilians specially the children that prompted many of those living in the outlying settlements to seek refuge at the Binasan community center and entertain of relocating their homes.
With this situation, Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits Inc. (ECOWEB), a national non-government organization based in this city, with support from Bread for the World (BftW) of Germany, distributed 120 food packs to families, mostly belonging to the Higaunon Tribe who are displaced by the weeklong armed conflict between the Philippine Government Armed Forces and alleged members of the New Peoples Army of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP-NPA) in Sitio Binasan of Barangay Rogongon, Iligan City, starting March 31.
The relief pack consisted of food items including rice, mongo, dried fish, sugar, coffee, salt and milk for children, lactating and pregnant women. Bath and laundry soap, assorted medicines, and kerosene were also distributed per request by the affected families.
The distribution, coinciding with the national commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Courage), was conducted at the barangay hall of Rogongon, which is the drop-off point for relief goods as agreed by the military and the local government.
Leaders from various affected communities received the goods. They are also responsible to transport it to the affected community, about seven kilometers away along zigzagging rugged road of the barangay.
Since the day of the start of fighting, entry and exit to the affected community remain restricted, thus only community leaders are allowed to get outside to fetch the goods. Other civilians could go outside after registering at the army checkpoint and when they have compelling and convincing reason.
The assisted displaced and affected population came from Sitio Binasan with 76 families and Sitio Buntod Tambulan with 44 families. These are all areas covered by ECOWEB’s development project in partnership with BftW that focuses on developing the abaca fiber production of these IP communities. A total of seven communities were affected. The office of the Social Welfare and Development of the City has also provided relief goods to all affected communities.
Datu Junnie Mahunyag, the Tribal Chieftain of Sitio Binasan of the Higaonon Tribe, in behalf of the tribal leadership, thanked ECOWEB for the relief effort.
“With deep gratitude, my people will be forever thankful for ECOWEB’s effort to help us in this difficult time. We wish to invite you to our community as soon as the restrictions are lifted so that our people can express their heartfelt thanks.” Mahunyag said.
ECOWEB also facilitated a planning with the community leaders on how to improve their existing water system and to construct sanitation facilities to meet the need of the concentrated population at the community center as a result of the displacement.
Meanwhile, women leaders also expressed their interest to learn more techniques in backyard gardening to ensure food security in the event that families living in isolated settlements will be ordered or decided to relocate.
Youth leaders also expressed willingness to facilitate activities with children undergoing trauma as a result of the armed fighting. Solar lamps were also requested as well as fuel support for motorbikes for mobility of community leaders.
The displaced population also struggled to uphold anti-COVID protocols as they congregate at their community centers.
“We are aware of the risk of COVID transmission due to staying close together but we are more scared to remain in our homes because rebels may knock in our doors or we might be caught in the crossfire; we will try our best to follow the protocols,” said Bae Rowena Lihayan of Buntod Tambulan.
“We hope and pray that everything will be back to normal as soon as possible,” concluded Datu Junnie as he and other leaders boarded their relief-laden motorbikes for their rough journey back to their community in Binasan.
