War-torn Marawi City is now gradually recovering from the massive damage brought about by the Marawi Siege in 2017.
Task Force Marawi is seeking coordination with Congress on the matter, but added that it is positive that the rehabilitation of the city will be completed by December 2021.
Data from the Marawi LGU show that the reconstruction of only 82 houses have been completed out of around 6,000.
Housing Secretary and Task Force Bangon Marawi Chairperson Eduardo Del Rosario admitted that the current figures are low compared to their expected outcome.
“That is why we are encouraging families to apply and start construction…The proposed compensation bill is still in Congress. Most families cannot build houses of their own,” Del Rosario stated.
The local government of Marawi reported that almost 2,000 have completed their documents for house rehabilitation, but the pandemic has also delayed document processing.
The Marawi Siege Compensation Bill aims to provide financial assistance to families whose houses and businesses were destroyed during the war in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur. It recently passed house committee on disaster resilience in September.
Aside from the compensation bill, more than 3,000 permanent housing units prepared by the task force are now up for deliberation.
Around 50,000 affected families have already received assistance, health services, and psychosocial support in the previous year. They are currently staying in shelters, while building and road construction are ongoing. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio
