via Pauline Requesto
DBM Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno says the ongoing conflict in Marawi City will not significantly affect the performance of the Philippine economy, nor will it warrant the creation of a supplemental budget to rehabilitate the area.
President Duterte has ordered the creation of Task Force Bangon Marawi to implement rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Marawi City. DPWH is expected to come up with a comprehensive “master plan” to map out these efforts. The President previously promised to give PHP 20 billion for Marawi rehabilitation.
According to the DBM chief, the Marawi budget will be released following a multi-year scheme. The DBM has allotted at least PHP 5 billion for 2017, PHP 10 billion for 2018, and an additional budget yet to be determined for 2019.
Financing follows the plan
The budgets and funding sources for 2017 and 2018 have been identified prior to the creation of the DPWH “master plan” in order to quickly respond to the needs of ongoing efforts and to accommodate the rehabilitation plan as soon as it is set up. The budget allocation for 2019 will be estimated based on the remaining needs of the plan.
The initial fund of PHP 5 billion for 2017 will be sourced from the 2016 and 2017 NDRRM Fund with a combined remaining balance of around PHP 7.4 billion and the 2017 Contingent Fund with a balance of almost PHP 3.35 billion, both as of July 2017.
Funds could also be sourced from the respective budgets of different agencies such as DSWD, DPWH and AFP Engineering Brigade, and foreign donors. China has already donated PHP 15 million for Marawi rehabilitation to boost the resources of DOH and DSWD.
For the NDRRM Fund FY 2018, PHP 25.5 billion has been allocated; PHP 10 billion of that amount has been allotted for the Marawi Recovery and Rehabilitation program.
For 2018 budget, PHP 310 million has also been allocated for 12 infrastructure projects under ARMM Regional DPWH.
