Maguindanao schools being cleared of evacuees

MANILA, Philippines - The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) has mobilized soldiers to decongest public schools in Maguindanao of thousands of evacuees who have been displaced by the continued fighting between government and separatist rebel forces.

The move is part of the full-blast preparations of the NDCC in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the opening of classes.

NDCC chairman and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., who visited the evacuees or internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Datu Piang, Maguindanao last Thursday said soldiers, together with the concerned agencies, are now building houses for the evacuees.

“Our troops have set aside their weapons for construction equipment to build shelters for their relocation,” Teodoro said.

At present, there are 27,535 villagers or 5,035 families occupying government schools in Datu Piang town displaced by the ongoing conflict between government security forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas led by Commander Ameril Ombra Kato.

Most of these evacuees, mostly women and children, have been staying in government-run evacuation centers since fighting broke out in August last year in Maguindanao.

Teodoro said the government will help the displaced villagers start anew and not be dependent solely on the assistance extended to them.

The evacuees have been relying merely on food aid being provided by international and local donors.

Teodoro said the NDCC, in coordination with local government units, will also provide the displaced folk with livelihood projects.