MARAWI CITY (PIA) — A new batch of 256 internally displaced persons (IDPs) officially finished intensive skills training programs designed to help rebuild Marawi City’s Most Affected Areas (MAAs). Each graduate received a training allowance, a toolkit specific to their skill area, and a certificate of completion during the commencement ceremony conducted in this city on October 25.
“You [IDPs] are our true partners in rebuilding MAAs. With our combined efforts and the skills you have gained, we can sustainably rebuild Marawi together,” said Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education-Technical Education and Skills Development (MBHTE-TESD) Lanao del Sur Provincial Director Asnawi Bato.
This is the second group to complete the program in 2024, following an initial batch of 250 graduates earlier this year.
The skills training, a component of the Marawi Rehabilitation Program’s (MRP) Construction Materials Assistance (CMA), aims to equip 1,500 IDPs. Under this, MRP partnered with MBHTE-TESD to train beneficiaries in carpentry, masonry, or electrical maintenance—skills vital for rebuilding their homes and communities.
The MBHTE-TESD tapped nine (9) training centers to teach the IDPs in their respective skill areas for this batch. To deepen their learning, the trainees engaged in hands-on activities that put their skills into practice.
“Marami na ang pagbabago na nakita naming simula noong naitatag ang BARMM. Ang training namin na ito ang isa sa makakapagpatunay na hindi natatapos sa ayuda ang mga tulong na natatanggap naming mga IDP mula sa Bangsamoro Government,” said Monib Batuampar Jr., one of the graduates.
(We have seen many changes since the establishment of BARMM. This training demonstrates that the Bangsamoro Government’s support for IDPs extends beyond basic relief aid.)
The rehabilitation of Marawi is part of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim’s 12-Point Priority Agenda. As the program advances, Marawi will benefit from a skilled local workforce.
The Program Steering Committee (PSC) of the MRP, led by its Chairperson, Deputy Chief Minister for Mainland Ali Solaiman, and PSC Spokesperson Member of Parliament Marjanie Macasalong, was also present during the event. (BIO/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
