Home-based Marawi evacuees cry bias vs DSWD

Some of the protesting evacuees in Baloi, Lanao del Norte. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BALOI, LANAO DEL NORTE—Displaced residents of Marawi City who had found shelter outside evacuation centers marched for at least 3 kilometers to protest what they said was unfair treatment by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

At least 43 heads of families took part in the march-protest action that started in the village of Pacalundo here and ended at the Baloi town hall.

The protesters claimed that the DSWD refused to provide them aid because they were not in evacuation centers. “We also need food,” said Acmilah Taguranao, 39, one of the protesters.

More than 384,000 Marawi residents who fled war in the city were still homeless. Most of the displaced were in 67 evacuation centers while others stayed with relatives. —DIVINA SUSON