Nat’l gov’t agencies, BARMM ink deals to expedite Marawi rehab

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency

Concerned national government agencies have signed various agreements with the Bangsamoro government to fast-track the rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.

The deals were signed during the meeting of at least six members of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet with the ministers of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) at Camp Ranao in Marawi City on Friday, according to a Department of Budget and Management (DBM) news release on Saturday.

The Cabinet secretaries who met with BARMM ministers were Secretaries Nasser Pangandaman Sr. (Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation and Development), Amenah Pangandaman (Budget and Management), Teodoro Herbosa (Health), Jose Ramon Aliling (Human Settlements and Urban Development), Manuel Bonoan (Public Works and Highways), and Sonny Angara (Education).

The DBM said the meeting culminated in the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the BARMM for the repair of the Access Bridge in Norsalam Village in the city.

The DPWH, BARMM, and Department of Education (DepEd) also signed a MOA for the construction of School Ancillary Facilities.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the National Housing Authority (NHA) and BARMM was also inked for the “Building Better Marawi—Livable and Accessible Marawi Housing” Program.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), also signed an MOU with BARMM for the “Building Better Marawi—Aquaculture Industry Development.”

The DBM said the Philippine Ports Authority and the BARMM also signed the acceptance documents for the turnover of Marawi Port Facilities.

“Other commitments that resulted from the meeting include DepEd supporting the provision of school equipment to the Marawi Integrated School, NEA (National Electrification Administration) ensuring electric supply to Marawi City General Hospital and neighboring areas, and DOH (Department of Health) committing support for the completion and operations of Marawi City General Hospital,” the DBM said.

About 42 ambulances from the DOH were also turned over during the meeting to reinforce the emergency medical service capabilities of Marawi City.

During Marcos Jr.s’ visit to several project sites in Marawi City on June 23, Marcos cited the steady progress in the government’s infrastructure rehabilitation efforts in the city.