Over 210 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao received P5,000 cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)'s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
Aside from the cash aid, DSWD said that the IDPs also received family food packs, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, sleeping kits, and jerrycans during the relief operation.
President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr., Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr, DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, DSWD XII Regional Director Loreto Jr Cabaya, and other local government officials were also present at the event.
According to the Ministry of Social Services and Development report, there are more than 3,300 IDPs in Maguindanao as of May 2022.
There are also over 1,200 individuals who remain displaced since 2021 because of the dispute between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
IDPs are people forced to leave their homes but not the border or country to seek safety and avoid the effects of ongoing armed conflict within their community.