AID — Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Member of the Parliament (MP) Marjanie Macasalong (right) led the Lanao team during rice distribution to various towns in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. He is joined in this photo by Political Affairs Officer Osama Shiek (left). (Photo courtesy of the Office of MP Said Shiek)
COTABATO CITY — Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament in the province of Lanao del Sur has started the distribution of rice assistance from the Office of the Chief Minister to its needy constituents affected by the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) global pandemic crisis.
Member of the Parliament (MP) Marjanie Macasalong led the Ranao Region team (Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur) together with other 21 BTA members, Deputy Chief Minister Ali B. Solaiman, Mohammad Zainoden P. Bato, Said M. Shiek, Dr. Safrullah M. Dipatuan, Basit S. Abbas (Commander Jannati), Abdullah G. Macapaar (Commander Bravo), Marjanie S. Macasalong, Punduma B. Sani, Musa K. Diamla, Jamel D. Macaraya, Modayao M. Sacar, Sultan Edrieza Nasser H. Rimbang, Paisalin P. Tago, Nabila Margarita P. Pangandaman, Atty. Maisara C. Damdamun-Latiph, Atty. Hamid Aminoddin Barra, Atty. Anna Tarhata S. Basman, Rasul Mitmug Jr., Ziaur Rahman A. Adiong, Diamila D. Ramos and Speaker Ali Pangalian M. Balindong.
At present, Macasalong said they were able to serve nineteen (19) towns from both Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces.
“We are giving 10 kilos of rice per family,” Macasalong said.
To date, the breakdown of rice assistance given per household in different municipalities are as follows: Marawi City – 5,000; Marantao – 2,000; Maguing – 300, Malabang – 500; Kapatagan – 100, Taraka – 2000, Ditsaan-Ramain – 200; Bubong – 1000, Balindong – 800; Poona Bayabao – 500, Masiu – 2000; Balabagan 200; Lumbayanague – 1500, Lumba Bayabao – 500, Piyagapo – 1000; Balo-i – 1500; Bayang – 300; Sultan Dumalundong 800 and Butig – 1000.
Macasalong stressed that the team is now on their third wave of relief distribution.
“Our time frame to finish with the distribution in the whole province would be at least by the end of July 2020,” Macasalong said.
Further, Macasalong shared the positive feedbacks of the different local government units from the two provinces.
“The local governments here were very grateful of our efforts and we would also like to thank them in return for appreciating all our hard works. To our populace, we have tried and did our best to maximize our resources both goods and manpower to provide for every member of Bangsamoro within our reach. Let us help one another get through this crisis and together, InshaAllah, we shall rise against this pandemic,” Macasalong emphasized.
In a separate event, Speaker Balindong has also extended rice assistance to at least 3,000 households in the town of Malabang.
Balindong said a total of three hundred (300) sacks of rice were subdivided to at least twenty-seven (27) barangays of Malabang thru Liga Ng Mga Barangay President and Barangay Bacayawan Chair Norodin B. Marohom.
These are the barangays of Curahab, Banday, Chinatown, Campo Muslim, Bunkhouse, Pasir, Matling Airport, Mananayo, Pialot, Mable, Tambara, Jose Abad Santos, Sembagarogong, Montay, Tacub, Tiongcop, Calibagat, Macaurandig, Inandayan, Matampay, Masao, Calumbog, Cabasaran, Badak Lumao, BPS Village, Boniga and Bacayawan.
In an earlier statement, Ebrahim said the rice distribution is on top of the ongoing initiatives of the Bangsamoro Government to address the needs of the populace during this crisis.
“It will be distributed to the affected residents of BARMM, especially those who reside in the far-flung areas and provinces each of the (BTA members) represent,” Ebrahim said.
(GALao, BTA Parliament)