MANILA, July 3 — Aside from the national budget, a senator on Monday said that sources of funds to rehabilitate conflict-torn Marawi City can also come from Official Development Assistance and private sector funding.
Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, committed her full support to restore political, social and economic stability in Marawi City through adequate funding for the government’s rehabilitation.
“I will support the funding of programs to make Marawi prosperous again,” Legarda said in a statement noting that investments should be made but the government cannot do it alone.
“It requires collective support and collaboration among stakeholders and private sector,” she added.
But she said that unless a solid plan is in place, funding from private or external sources will be difficult.
At present, she said that concerned government agencies led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are responding to the immediate needs of Marawi residents.
Moreover, the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority have also allotted funds for livelihood programs and support for micro, small and medium enterprises for the entrepreneurial people of Marawi.
The Department of Agriculture is also fully subsidizing irrigation fees for the farmers. She meanwhile urged the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Department of Tourism, for their part, can map out a plan to promote cultural tourism in the city.
Legarda also reminded the government to put risk mitigation measures in place to secure government and private sector investments.
“Any plan to rebuild Marawi and make it prosperous should be anchored on a resilience plan, which should take into consideration the risks-from natural hazards, health hazards, and security and safety issues,” she said. (ANP/PNA)
