Some 500 students, single parents, orphans and persons with disability (PWD) from 10 towns in Lanao del Sur who were greatly affected by the coronavirus pandemic received on Wednesday financial assistance from two members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

Member of Parliament (MP) Maisara Dandamun-Latiph said Thursday the assistance package was funded through the Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) of her office and with that of MP Said Shiek, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Services and Development in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (MSSD-BARMM).

The beneficiaries of the financial aid were elementary, high school, and college students in the municipalities of Binidayan, Madalum, Bacolod-Kalawi, Picong, Malabang, Ganassi, Madamba, Lumbayanague, Lumabatan and Butig.

Shiek’s office, through the MSSD, gave PHP10,000 to each of the students, while Latiph’s office granted PHP1,000 each for elementary students; PHP1,500 each for high school level students; and, PHP10,000 each for college students.

The two BARMM lawmakers also provided financial aid to other marginalized sectors in the province.

Solo parents were given PHP5,000 each and children, mostly orphaned by the armed conflict, received PHP15,000 each while each PWD received PHP20,000.

Latiph said the new normal has brought about many changes, including an additional burden to students whose parents are barely making ends meet.

“This (financial assistance) is a big help because my mother is jobless and only stays at home,” said Aleya, one of the beneficiary-pupils.

Another beneficiary, Samsaman Gida, said she is thankful for this once-in-a-lifetime aid as she admitted that she could hardly send her children to school because of economic hardship due to the pandemic.

The financial assistance aims to help families who were displaced by the coronavirus health crisis. (PNA)