MARAWI CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday led the distribution of 400 certificates of acceptance and occupancy of transitional shelters to residents left homeless by the five-month battle between government troops and local terrorist groups last year.
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman, together with national and local officials, witnessed the ceremony held at the site of the temporary resettlement in Barangay Sagonsongan here, some 4 km. away from the city proper.
Marcelino Escalada Jr., general manager of the National Housing Authority, in his report said a total of 1,149 families displaced by last year’s fighting were expected to transfer to the temporary shelters in March this year.
“The government will turn over 10 to 20 housing units every two weeks until we completely deliver the 1,149 units in March,” he said, adding that what they would be building at the site were not only houses but a community itself.
The 11-hectare township will have school buildings, madrasah, houses with kitchen and washroom, wet and dry market, mosque, water supply and a multi-purpose hall.
“We assure you that the government will always be there for the people of Marawi,” Duterte said. “Let’s build a community for our children.”
The construction of the temporary shelters is part of Task Force Bangon Marawi’s recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation program for the city.
“I am happy now that we have a new home,” Jariya Dia, recipient of a housing unit, said in the vernacular. “My only problem now is how to convince my children to come back here and live once more in Marawi.”
Since the siege broke out, Dia and her five children stayed at an evacuation center in Iligan City. Her home was among those destroyed by the local terror group in Barangay Marinaut West – one of the villages inside ground zero.
Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra, for his part, told constituents to stay strong and be united on the goal to help rebuild their beloved city. “Let us unite and help each other to raise up Marawi once more,” he said.
On the same day, Hataman, together with Gandamra and Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan, visited the newly-inaugurated ‘Siyapen Center’, a community-based drug rehabilitation center.
The center is a 70-bed, two-storey facility located in Barangay Poblacion. It will also serve as an economic hub for Marawi residents, especially those in need of short-term employment, or cash-for-work activity.
Aside from the center, the Ayala Foundation has a cash-for-work project worth PHP3 million for livelihood.
Hataman said that the Ayala Foundation had been a partner of the regional government, especially in two program areas – youth leadership and education.
The regional government, he said, had earmarked funds to support appropriate assistance for the people of Marawi.
Speaking to residents, the governor said, “Rest assured, the ARMM government will never leave behind Marawi.” (PR/BPI-ARMM)
