Maranaon. One parent shared that her child refuses to continue attending his classes because he is unable to understand and communicate with his, “Bakit pa raw siya papasok, wala naman daw siyang naiintindihan. Tsaka nalang daw siya mag-aaral ulit pag peaceful na sa Marawi”. d) Lack of Nearby Schools In Pantar and Balo-i, most children are not enrolled for the current school year because there are no nearby schools in the area. In Balo-I, a nearby school caters only to students from Kinder to Grade IV. A group of children and youth ages 13 to 24 expressed their disappointment for they were not able to continue their studies after they were displaced. “Kailangan mo pang sumakay. Mag-momotor ka pa, isang tao, bente. Kaya lang wala kaming pera. Ung school kasi na malapit dito hanggang pang grade 4 lang. Ung kuya kong second year college tumigil din,” complained a 16-year old girl from Balo-I. Indeed, college students who were displaced in Balo-I had to stop schooling because there are no universities or colleges located near the evacuation center. “Marami po kaming college dito sa evacuation center, lahat kami tumigil sa pagaaral. May mga home-based (evacuees) din po na gustong makapag-aral. Kung may college lang po sana dito, mag-aaral talaga kami. Kaso wala po, ang pinakamalapit na college ay nasa Iligan daw”, says an incoming 2nd year college student of Adiong Polytechnic College. These college students were already interviewed by Social Workers; they were told that the government will assist students who would like to continue their studies. As of the moment, the students have yet to receive the help promised to them. These college students are also aware of the offer of scholarship by different universities to the displaced students of Marawi. However, as much as they would like to avail of these opportunities, their parents have no money to spend for their food, transportation, and school supplies. Right to an Adequate Standard of Living a) Food DSWD food packs containing 5 kilos NFA rice, 4 sardines, 4 beef loafs/corned beef and 5 pieces instant (3-in-1) coffee are given to all evacuees with access card. All of the children who were interviewed confirmed that their families received food packs however the frequency or regularity of their distribution was not established. Nonetheless, there was no reported shortage of food supply in the five (5) evacuation centers visited. The only food-related issue that was brought to our attention by the children is the lack of its variety. Children have already missed eating cooked meals that are prepared by their parents at home. “Laging de-lata”, replied the children of Saguiaran when asked what they would usually eat in the evacuation center. Parents and elder siblings echoed this concern, “puro nalang kami sardinas, nakakasawa na din, gusto ng mga (kapatid ko) na may ibang lasa din”, shared a young lady to the group. To provide variety in their daily meals, parents barter their cans of sardines to market vendors for vegetables. Others admit selling their relief packs to earn money to buy fresh fish. The harmful effects of eating too much canned food to children’s health is also a concern. One mother in Saguiaran hopes that the government will consider rationing food with nutritional value to the children. Cooking is difficult in the evacuation centers. Mothers would want to cook for their children but they were not provided with cooking pans and utensils. Moreover, they do not have money to buy cooking oil and firewood. A stack of firewood is said to be sold at P50.00 in the evacuation centers. On a positive note, the evacuees situated in Landa Pamana, Balo-I are able to cook because firewood can be gathered from the trees found at the back of the evacuation center. They were also able to borrow cooking wares from their neighbors. Children and youth who were interviewed are very grateful of the help that the Barangay Captain of Landa Pamana has extended to them. According to the children, the leader would sometimes use his personal money to buy food for the evacuees. 67