Philippine Vice President visited hundreds of displaced civilians in the village of Tubod in Iligan City and turned over to them three sewing machines to be used for making hijabs.
Leni Robredo also visited Barangay Dayawan in Marawi City and the evacuation center in Balo-I in Lanao del Sur who was greeted by displaced civilians caught in the crossfire between the Maute rebels and Philippine soldiers that claimed the lives of more than 375 soldiers, militants and civilians.
Robredo has identified hijab making as one of the livelihood program that displaced civilians could focus on because it was part of their culture and tradition.
Most residents of Marawi are micro entrepreneurs, who have lost their jobs and livelihood, as a result of the war and livelihood assistance is one of the areas the government is trying to identify in the post-conflict rehabilitation plan of the government
While in these areas, hundreds of home-based displaced women mobbed the vice president and hugged her. Some civilians also took selfie with the lady vice president.
More than 300,000 civilians fled Marawi City as the intense battle in the only Islamic City in the Philippines as enters its fifth month with no clear signs that the war is coming to an end soon.
The Philippine government declared an eight-hour ceasefire in Marawi City on Sunday in observance of Eid'l Fitri tradition being observed by Filipino-Muslims to allow humanitarian response to rescue hostages.
The temporary truce was able to save an infant and 4 other civilians trapped in the battle zone. Government officials disclosed that despite the truce declared by the Philippine government, militants continue to shoot soldiers in that eight hour period.
However, after the temporary ceasefire the Philippine government resumed fresh airstrikes and artillery on rebels' positions.
