More Pinoys ready to help Marawi siege victims — SWS

MANILA, Philippines — A majority of Filipinos are ready to provide assistance to victims of the crisis in Marawi, according to the latest Social Weather Stations survey. 

At least 60 percent of the respondents said they would help, 20 percent were “unready” and 20 percent undecided. 

The poll was conducted from Sept. 23 to 27 among 1,500 adults nationwide.

At least 54 percent said they would pray or offer mass for the victims, 51 percent would provide relief goods and 49 percent would give clothes. 

At least 16 percent said they would give money to affected residents; help pack or deliver relief goods (13 percent); offer their house (four percent); give free transportation (two percent), and give free medicine (0.1 percent).

Readiness to help victims of the crisis was highest in Mindanao and Metro Manila at 70 percent and 68 percent, respectively, followed by those in the Visayas, 57 percent, and balance of Luzon, 54 percent. 

At least 63 percent of those polled in urban and 57 percent in rural areas said they would help.

Those in classes ABC are most ready to assist Marawi victims at 66 percent; followed by class D, 61 percent, and class E, 53 percent. 

Sixty-one percent of  women and 59 percent of men said they would also provide assistance. 

Among Catholics, 59 percent said they would help; Iglesia ni Cristo members, 61 percent; Muslims, 66 percent, and other religions, 67 percent. 

Fighting between Maute militants and government troops, which lasted for almost five months, displaced around 400,000 people in Marawi and nearby towns. 

President Duterte declared the city liberated from terrorists last month.