Experiences of IDP children being discriminated in schools have also surfaced during activities and interviews. These experiences further discourage children from going back to school for they feel that they are not accepted in their new environment. A number of children in Saguiaran disclosed that they have been mocked in class because of the clothes they wear and the different dialect they speak. “Ung iba d’yan inaasar kami, bakwit daw kami. Madudumi, walang panggastos, walang pangkain. Bakit nila kami tatawaging bakwit?”, asked a Grade 4 student in Saguiaran. An older boy shared that he was called “Maute” by some boys in his class. He admits that he was initially offended but he has somehow gotten used to it. The result of KIIs in Maria Cristina is more encouraging as three out of six children interviewed are studying. Children who enrolled in a nearby school shared that they appreciate how accommodating their teachers and schoolmates are. c) Language Barrier Another obstacle identified is the language barrier between the teachers and the learners. Children do not know the local language in the areas to which they are displaced. This is especially true in Saguiaran and Maria Cristina where the displaced children are enrolled in classes handled by Filipino and Bisaya-speaking teachers. The children from Marawi speak Maranaoan; they also speak and understand English better than Filipino since the medium of instruction used in Marawi is either English or 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 BaloI. 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 pag-aaral. 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. 66