Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 23) — As the Marawi siege marks its third anniversary, some government officials are pushing to fast-track the rehabilitation of the war-torn city, now made more challenging with the threats posed by COVID-19.
Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday called on officials handling the rehabilitation of Marawi City to immediately implement programs for its recovery, noting that the temporary shelters provided to displaced residents “pose an even more profound challenge given the virality of COVID-19.”
“We call in all concerned agencies their actions while exercising full transparency… It [Marawi] is an on-going problem that needs to be solved,” Robredo said in a statement.
Anak Mindanao Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan also demanded more transparency from Task Force Bangon Marawi, especially in informing Marawi residents regarding its efforts to reconstruct the city.
“Call it a ‘State of Marawi Address’ or whatever you will, but the people need to know the status of the Marawi rehabilitation efforts, especially those who are still languishing in temporary shelters and cannot go home to their beloved city,” Sangcopan said in a separate statement.
“It has been three years since the siege, and yet the people are still unable to go home, rebuild their lives and heal from all the wounds of this tragedy,” she added.
The bloody war between the Maute group and government forces last May 2017 in Marawi City led to the significant destruction of lives and property. Thousands of survivors were displaced and had no choice but to live in temporary shelters provided by the government.
Bangon Marawi said estimated the total damage and lost opportunities due to the conflict at P18.23 billion. The task force said ₱75 billion to ₱80 billion is needed for the rehabilitation efforts.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque noted in a separate statement that as per the report of the task force, 2,911 of 4,866 transitional shelters have already been occupied by internally displaced persons as of January 2020. The remaining units are in different stages of completion and are expected to be completed before the end of the year, he said.
Meanwhile, Liberal Party president Sen. Francis Pangilinan said he supports the recommendations of Mindanao-based non-government organizations to rehabilitate Marawi, including a partnership between agencies and NGOs to monitor the progress of the programs. Reports will then be submitted to Congress on the status of the rehabilitation.
They also recommend a bill that would compensate Marawi residents, private schools, hospitals, and other public service providers, as well as exemption of customs duty tax to donations and financial aid to businesses.
Bills regarding compensation have been previously filed in Congress but are yet to be passed.
The Muslim community will celebrate Eid’l Fitr, the end of Ramadan, on Monday. But due to health safety measures, mass gatherings are prohibited. Marawi City previously requested an extension of the enhanced community quarantine in the area but was later rejected by the national Inter-Agency Task Force.
Data from the Department of Health showed that the number of cases in Lanao del Sur, where the city is located, has reached 9 with 6 recoveries and 3 deaths as of April 24.
Moreover, of the 3,580 permanent shelters planned to be built, 165 are already occupied, Roque further quoted the report as saying. These are targeted to be completed by first quarter of 2021. The reconstruction of the Mapandi Bridge is already 100 percent complete, Roque noted.
