MANILA — The construction of a new military camp in Marawi City will not impede government rehabilitation efforts, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Secretary General Falconi Millar said Friday.
Falconi made this assurance after Moro groups criticized the government’s plan to build a second military camp, saying the money should instead go to needs of displaced individuals affected by the war and noting that it would slow own rehabilitation efforts.
“The construction of a new military camp will not in any way impede the rehabilitation of Marawi,” Millar said during the Task Force Bangon Marawi press conference in Malacañang.
“In fact, the Task Force Bangon Marawi is so focused that we are so focused that we are maintaining our time lines for the development of the most affected area in Marawi City,” he added.
Millar also assured Moro groups that President Rodrigo R. Duterte has been “very consistent” in his pronouncements that enough funds will be allocated for Marawi City’s rehabilitation.
Marawi City Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra, for his part, noted that while he respected the Moro groups’ opinion, the construction of a new military is necessary to strengthen the security measures being employed by the government.
Gandamra said that he will conduct a dialogue with different sectors, particularly those against the construction of new camps, to inform them why it is necessary.
“Ang nangyari sa (What happened in) Marawi City ay isang malaking (is a big) lesson that we have to strengthen the presence of security forces in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur. But of course, we have to conduct dialogue with different sectors para ma-enlighten sila sa (to enlighten them on the) purpose of the establishment of new camp,” he added.
He also assured the government will be spending a “minimal” account for the construction of the second military camp compared to spending for rehabilitation.
“As compared to the budgetary allocation intended for rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi City, yung gagastusin sa new camp is very minimal — hindi ganun kalaki para maapekuhan ang rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi City (the budgetary allocation for the new camp is very minimal — it’s not big an amount to affect the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi City),” Gandamra said.
On Jan. 30, Duterte led the groundbreaking ceremony for a new military camp which will approximately cost PHP400 million. It is expected to be completed before 2020. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
