spot_img
27.7 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

Rebuilding hope in Marawi via ‘Tibayanihan’

- Advertisement -

The Philippine Business for Social Progress has inked a partnership with Republic Cement for Project “Marawi Tibayanihan: Rebuilding Homes for a Stronger Marawi.”

The project aims to provide an alternate livelihood source for Marawi City residents and to support the recovery of the affected families and the rehabilitation of their houses in the war-torn metropolis.

“From our experience after several missions in Marawi City, we have developed a more responsive framework to guide our member companies and partner donors towards a more holistic and collective response, supportive of the needs of internally displaced people [IDPs] and local plans,” PBSP Executive Director Reynaldo Laguda said.

The goal is to form the Marawi Tibayanihan Crew—a group of workers skilled in carpentry, masonry, electrical wiring, welding, plumbing, and painting, among others.

Rebuilding hope in Marawi via ‘Tibayanihan’
A year after the Marawi siege, the Philippine Business for Social Progress went back to Marawi City’s ground zero during the last day of ‘kambisita’ (‘visiting’ in Maranao), where residents were allowed to visit their homes and other properties. Owners mark their properties with their names and contact details (as pictured) so they could be notified if ever their properties needed to be torn down to give way to road widening.

The project targets three communities: Barangays Raya Saduc and Bubonga, and Area 1 Transitional Community. Households from the two barangays, or 44 families, and 102 shelters will benefit from the recovery and rehabilitation assistance. 

- Advertisement -

Families who do not have the capacity to pay for labor and materials were the ones prioritized. Under the program, the Tibayanihan Crew will provide labor services to each beneficiary-family. Each family will also benefit from a grant for the needed construction materials, after an assessment of the condition of their homes and the required repairs.

The workers will be trained further with the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry and and TESDA. At the end of the training, they would be self-reliant and could be tapped for construction services by the government, private sector, and other groups in the future.

The project would also help strengthen the brotherhood among Maranaos by enabling other Maranaos to help their people after the siege.

“There is an immense need that had to be filled, and we are grateful for the flow of assistance and we are excited about Republic Cement sharing the vision of rebuilding towards a stronger Marawi,” Laguda added.

“This is an important project for us. The development of Mindanao is in line with Republic Cement’s thrust in nation-building. As much as this project is about constructing stronger homes and buildings, it is also about strengthening the people’s hope that tomorrow can be better,” said Nabil Francis, Republic Cement Services, Inc. president.

At the end of the project, the Marawi Tibayanihan Crew will be endorsed to the stakeholders, especially to government authorities, the barangay, the Marawi Local Government, Lanao del Sur Provincial Government, and Task Force Bangon Marawi, among others.

“This is not just an investment in rebuilding Marawi’s infrastructure, it is also an extended hand to families in desperate need of hope to keep on facing another day. Rebuilding stronger homes is all about strengthening families, and in turn, building a stronger Republic,” said Francis.

Project Marawi Tibayanihan is made possible through the initiative of PBSP, Republic Cement, and through the generous donations of Telstra; Alsons Development and Investment Corp.; Community Developers and Construction Corp.; Country Bankers Life Insurance Corp., LRP Foundation, Inc.; Unilab, Inc.; Antonio Y. Aboitiz; Ramon del Rosario Jr.; and Vivian Que-Azcona, to name a few.

“May Marawi Tibayanihan be a testament to the good that the private sector could accomplish when different entities and corporations come together and work toward a common goal,” Laguda said. “We can accomplish bigger things when we all work together.”

It has been nearly two years already since the Maute Group staged a major attack on the major institutions of Marawi City and left the once-beautiful Islamic city in ruins. The five-month siege has left an indelible mark in the city’s economy, architecture, and the psyche of its people

More than 350,000 individuals were displaced — 41% of the population. After a year, thousands of families have made their way back to their ruined homes, but there are still 237,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in tent cities.

Those who returned fared a little better, having little to no livelihood to come back to.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles