30 families displaced by N.Cotabato armed conflict get aid from gov't

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 3): 30 families displaced by N.Cotabato armed conflict get aid from gov't

Some 30 families who fled homes due to armed conflict in Matalam town have received relief assistance from the North Cotabato provincial government, officials said Wednesday.

Marchita Capilitan, provincial Social Welfare Develoment Office focal person, said the families were from Sitio Mateo, Barangay Manubuan, Matalam who evacuate several days ago after skirmishes occurred between armed groups disputing land ownership.

Capilitan said the affected families were composed of 15 Moro families and 15 Indigenous Peoples (IP) families received food packs.

“Each relief pack contains 5 kilos rice, 2 cans sardines and 2 packs noodles and serves as augmentation to the assistance provided by the LGU,” Capilitan said.

Earlier, the local government of Matalam has distributed emergency relief assistance during the first hours of their displacement.

Staying in their relatives' homes and temporary evacuation sites, the IDPs opted to remain in the area for fear returning home would put them in danger.

Arnulfo Villaruz of the provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Division said the relief augmentation was carried out on orders of North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza.

Mendoza also ordered the PSWD and provincial health office to check on the health status of internally displaced persons, especially children.

Mendoza also called on warring groups to end the armed hostilities and resolve misunderstanding over the negotiating table.

“We want these conflicts to end or if not lessen the differences among fighting groups all for the sake of innocent civilians who are the primary victims here,” Mendoza said in a statement.

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