INC distributes relief goods to Marawi evacuees

MANILA, Philippines - The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has extended help to residents of Marawi City displaced by clashes between government troops and Maute militants.

INC general auditor Glicerio Santos Jr. said they have sent relief goods and mobilized 1,000 members for operations in several evacuation centers in Mindanao as part of the group’s Lingap outreach program.

INC has sent followers to five venues in Iligan City and 11 sites in Balo-i in Lanao del Norte province to handle packing, storing, loading and distribution of relief goods consisting of rice, canned goods and coffee for about 100,000 people affected by the two-month-long Marawi siege.

Santos said police and military officers provided security for the relief operations earlier this week.

“It was a quick and simple matter of deciding within the church, through the guidance and leadership of executive minister Eduardo Manalo, that we had to do something concrete to help fellow Filipinos who are affected and displaced by the Marawi fighting. Religion and political beliefs were not an issue here. What’s important is assisting people in dire need,” Santos stressed.    

The INC has for the last several years expanded its Lingap sa Mamamayan livelihood and assistance programs for both church members and non-members alike.    

“It’s usually livelihood programs we engage in, but in situations like in Marawi or when disasters and natural calamities occur in certain parts of the country, we shift our efforts to providing immediate material assistance in the form of essentials such as food and medicine. That way, we are able to offer help quicker to those whose needs are urgent,” he said.    

Local leaders and residents praised the INC’s relief drive and pointed out that such was the first large-scale distribution of relief goods done by a religious group in the area.    

Santos noted they would continue their assistance efforts to cover other evacuation centers housing Marawi evacuees. There are around 35 designated evacuation centers scattered in Lanao and Misamis Oriental.