HELPING HANDS — Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament extended cash assistance Wednesday, July 08, 2020 to more than 500 Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) in Metro Manila. (GALao with photo by Office of MP Diamila Disimban-Ramos)

MANILA — The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament has extended aid Wednesday, July 08 to more than 500 Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and outside the region who were temporarily housed at the Philippine Army Gymnasium and inside the “Libingan ng mga Bayani” compound in Taguig City.

Members of Parliament represented by MPs Diamila Disimban-Ramos, Nabil Tan, Abraham “Jess” Burahan and Atty. Maisara Damdamun-Latiph led the relief assistance with the support of fellow MPs Abdulmuhmin Mujahid, Khadafeh Mangudadatu, Aida Silongan, Adzfar Usman, Omar Yasser Sema, Paisalin Tago, Susana Anayatin, Eddie Alih, Ubaida Pacasem, Jose Lorena, Romy Saliga, Ziaur-Rahman Adiong, Nabila Margarita Pangandaman, Mussolini Lidasan, Muslimin Jakilan, Marjanie Macasalong, Ali Sangki, Sahie Udjah and Deputy Speaker Hatimil Hassan.

In her message before the LSIs, MP Ramos said they raised funds along with other Parliament members of the region.

“The cash assistance is our simple way of helping our LSIs while awaiting their flights back to their hometowns,” MP Ramos said.

MPs Tan and Burahan have expressed sincere intent to help fellow Bangsamoro even if they are outside the BARMM region.

“We know how you feel, and this is our effort to at least help you in these trying times,” MP Tan said.

In addition, MP Latiph emphasized to the LSIs to take care of their health.

“Please take good care of yourselves. You should take care of your health since it is our only capital amid this pandemic crisis,” MP Latiph said.

Furthermore, the BARMM Manila Liaison Office also distributed facial masks and ear saver straps to the LSIs.

The Philippine Army assisted the BTA members during the activity.

In his brief message, Civil Military Operations Regiment Deputy Commander Col. Marce T. Gayat, said from the part of the Philippine Army, they are “extremely thankful to the BARMM government since it is always ready to extend a helping hand to their needy constituents”.

Meanwhile, this initiative is in line with BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim’s support to the national government’s directive of helping and assisting the LSIs until they go back to their respective provinces. (GALao, Publication and Media Division, BTA Parliament)