MANILA, Philippines — The United States government has a launched the Marawi Response Project, which aims to improve economic and social conditions of communities affected by the conflict last year.
In May 2017, ISIS-inspired local terrorists sieged Marawi City, resulting to a declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
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US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim announced the P1.35-billion project that expands livelihood activities in the city and nearby areas, the US Embassy said in a statement.
The Marawi Response Project is a three-year project of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) that will offer micro grants to displaced and host communities in the war-torn city.
These grants will address short-term needs, support employment readiness for the youth and help connect them to Mindanao's service sector.
"The US government shares the concern of the Philippine government for ongoing economic, social, health and education needs of the people of Marawi and neighboring municipalities," Kim said.
Kim was in Marawi City when he announced the project. He met with Lanao del Sur Gov. Bedjoria Adiong, Vice Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra and Joint Task Force Ranao commander Brig. Gen. Ramiro Rey.
The latest USAID project in Marawi brings the total funding commitment of the US to Marawi response to nearly P3.2 billion.
The American envoy also announced the launch of the Empowering Madrasa Educator 2 program, which is worth an estimated P12.7 million.
This is a second iteration of the US Embassy's project that provides long-term training to 175 madrasa educators and 24 madrasa administrators from Marawi, Lanao del Sur and other Mindanao communities.
The program seeks to improve English proficiency and computer literacy among the madrasa.
"This effort, along with the US Embassy’s training for Mindanaoan public school teachers through American English workshops and online courses, will help educators in Mindanao improve their students’ educational and economic opportunities by enhancing the quality of instruction," the US Embassy said. — Patricia Lourdes Viray