By
Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA
CITY - As the skirmishes here
between the Moro National Liberation Front and Government forces continue and more
people are fleeing their homes for evacuation centers established in different
points in the city, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman has assured that relief food and
supplies are sufficient, and that “more are on their way to Zamboanga City.”
“Five thousand family
packs are on their way from Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and Davao DSWD field
offices, as well as big tents,” Secretary Soliman told the media in a press
briefing held at City Hall at 1:00 p.m. today.
In addition, Secretary
Soliman said that there are incoming mats, water jugs, portalets and other
goods amounting to P27 million, courtesy of the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID). The United Nations’ World Food Program and
other non-government agencies will also provide food supplements for the
lactating mothers in the evacuation centers and additional tents.
“We have adequate
resources to cater to the needs of the evacuees. In addition to external
resources, the people of Zamboanga who are not affected with the conflict are
continuously sharing their resources for the displaced persons, including the
business community, the restaurants and private individuals,” Secretary Soliman
said.
Aside from the food
and other supplies, students from local schools and universities including the
Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU)
and others have volunteered to serve the evacuees by repacking the goods and
other means.
Latest statistics
reveals that a total of 14,269 individuals or 2,990 families have moved to the
evacuation centers and 8,358 individuals are now at the Joaquin Enriquez
Memorial Sports Complex.
As of this writing
(3:00p.mm), government forces are pursuing the fleeing armed MNLF members.
Radio reports revealed that the exchange of gunfire has reached the city
proper, particularly in Barangay Canelar. Residents are very much alarmed and
panicked over the situation since the shootings have been persistent for three
consecutive days now.
Meanwhile, Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas
reiterated that the government is on top of the situation. He said that the
Armed Forces are maintaining a non-aggressive, more defensive strategy in
dealing with the situation. (PIA9)