President Rodrigo Duterte is set to sign a P10-billion reconstruction and rehabilitation package for Marawi City and other areas affected by the ongoing skirmishes between government forces and extremist forces seeking control of the war-torn area.
Under the proposed executive order, “Bangon Marawi” still awaiting Duterte’s signature, the Defense Department along with the military will be overseeing reconstruction efforts to “bring back residents and normal everyday life as soon as possible.”
“According to Secretary of Defense Delfin Lorenzana, the proposal of the DND-led recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation program for Marawi is already with the Office of the Executive Secretary awaiting submission to the President,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella told state radio dzRB.
“The proposed package amounting to P10 billion as surmised by the President will be a multi-agency effort including DTI, DepEd, DSWD, DPWH, DOE, DICT, among others,” he added.
Abella said that clearing efforts in the city should take “about at least one to two weeks” while reconstruction efforts would take “a minimum of six months and may begin after clearing the city.”
“We assure you that the President is deeply concerned for the city, the region and the island’s well being and is very hands-on to ensure that normalcy will be restored at the soonest possible time and serve people’s aspirations for a comfortable life for all,” he added.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has begun processing a one-time P1,000 cash assistance for each family displaced by the ongoing hostilities in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.
Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said the assistance will be provided under the DSWD Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
“Most of our fellow citizens from Marawi are Muslims. We are now processing to provide them cash assistance because it is Ramadan. They can use it to buy fruits because they are breaking their fast,” Taguiwalo said.
She noted that representatives from Lanao suggested the provision of the cash assistance to help Muslim evacuees who are observing the fasting month of Ramadan despite being in evacuation centers.
Taguiwalo said this is only a one-time cash aid, as her department continues to provide the evacuees food.
The DSWD is also preparing provisions for additional assistance, such as tents, once the evacuees return to Marawi, the social welfare chief said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office on Friday said it would send P5 million worth of bottled water and medicine for residents affected by violence in Marawi.
PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan said the PCSO board has approved the move to send aid to affected residents, and on top of assistance already being provided to those who were wounded or afflicted with illness after days of continuous fighting
Balutan, a former Marine general who spent 20 years in Mindanao, said the aid from PCSO would be transported through the help of the Philippine Marines.
The PCSO likewise directed its field office in Cagayan de Oro City to expedite the processing of the request for assistance of patients from Marawi City who have been hospitalized.
The armed conflict has already displaced a total of 50,327 families or 245,341 persons in 27 barangays in Marawi City and 13 barangays in Marantao, Lanao del Sur.
Of the figure, 4,244 families or 20,627 individuals are staying in 63 evacuation centers, while 44,999 families or 219,339 persons are with relatives or friends in Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the Negros islands.
In a related development, the Philippine Red Cross said more evacuees can now be accommodated with immediate basic, preventive, and health care emergency treatment and medical supplies.
The PRC set up a basic health care unit in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte to operate in the area. The emergency medical unit can serve up to 3,000 evacuees and patients for one month. It has 20 cot beds for patients mainly for observations and monitoring by PRC’s volunteers health care professionals.
“The health of our people is our main concern. Through this health care unit, we can serve thousands of individuals, giving them basic supply of medicines, consultations, and other health related concerns. Our Red Cross staff and volunteers will never falter in helping our brothers and sisters in Mindanao,” said PRC chairman Richard Gordon.
Concentrating on the health needs of the evacuees, medical consultations for children, pregnant women, and elderly, minor surgical cases, and normal spontaneous delivery for uncomplicated pregnancy can be accommodated instantly. Basic medicines supply are also in place for the evacuees who will need it.
Along with the BHCU is the mobilization of PRC ambulance in case of further assistance. To date, thousands are still staying in several evacuation centers. With PNA