The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Mindanao State University (MSU) to develop and implement inclusive and culturally-sensitive programs for orphans and poor children living in “torils” in Marawi City.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and MSU System president Basari Mapupuno signed the MOU at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City. DSWD Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs Fatima Aliah Dimaporo and MSU presidential management staff Rashid Pandi witnessed the ceremony.
Torils are private educational institutions that provide Quran memorization, Arabic language learning, and/or instruction on Islamic values and laws within a residential setting. The informal learning institution accepts stay-in learners.
“There is a segment of poor, marginalized and vulnerable who are too far, too remote, too unfamiliar, or too intimidated with the rules of government that they do not dare to come to us,” Gatchalian said in his short message after the MOU signing.
He said MSU has been selected to be its partner because of the latter’s expertise on the Muslim community, including the societal and cultural context of the children in torils.
He said one of his priorities as DSWD chief is to come up with an innovative social protection program for orphans in torils and this is the reason for choosing children as beneficiaries of the project.
Meanwhile, Project Riayah is expected to improve the living conditions, education, and overall well-being of the children and orphans affected by the Marawi Siege in 2017, after which, poverty has surged dramatically. It affected a vulnerable sector of children, including many orphaned and abandoned, who have found refuge in torils.
DSWD Undersecretary Fatima Aliah Dimaporo prepared the groundwork for Project Riayah by conducting field work and immersion in the different situations of Lanao del Sur Islamic Schools and inventory of possible torils and madaris schools for the project last January.
“The Department alone cannot do it by itself, so that’s why we are working with the Mindanao State University…so that our social protection programs will be tailored fit to the needs of our toril students,” Gatchalian said.
Mapupuno expressed his full support to the project, stressing that the new partnership will “open many doors of hope and opportunity to the people it intends to serve.”
“This initiative, born from genuine concern for the underprivileged children in toril institution is critical in building a brighter tomorrow for those who represent the last, least, and lost,” he said. (PNA)
