ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar announced that the city has lined up several activities to mark the commemoration of the third year of the 2013 Zamboanga siege.
Salazar said the activities will include wreath-laying at the heroes marker, gift giving to the children of hope and turning over of 239 units of houses to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The City Government has constructed a heroes’ marker near City Hall in recognition to the fallen soldiers and policemen who fought in defense of this city as well as the civilians who died during the siege.
Salazar said the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and City Health Office will spearhead the gift-giving to the children of hope.
The children of hope refer to children who were born on September 9, 2013, the day when the 21-day siege has started.
Salazar said that 160 of the 239 housing units to be turned over are located in the village of Tulungatung while the remaining 79 at the Christian-Muslim Homeowners Association in the village of Sta. Barbara.
Sta. Barbara is among the most affected villages during the siege that started September 9, 2013 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members infiltrated this city.
The mayor said the City Government will continue pushing the case against the Moro National Liberation Front members who were involved in the 21-day siege. (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)