ROCKY IGNACIO/PTV: Good morning Malacañang Press Corps ang Guests, welcome sa Bangon Marawi Briefing. Today, we have Philippine Information Agency Director General Harold Clavite. Good morning, sir.
DIRECTOR CLAVITE: Good morning. Thank you, Rocky. Good morning Malacañang Press Crops. Maayong buntag Pilipinas. We welcome you now to another edition of Bangon Marawi Press Briefing.
It is my pleasure to introduce today’s panel, from the City Government of Marawi, no less than Mayor Majul Gandamra. We are also joined by Task Force Bangon Marawi Undersecretary Falconi Ace Millar. He’s also the Secretary General of HUDCC. And of course, we are joined today also by Ms. Luna Cacanando, the President and CEO of Small Business Corporation.
Before we give the floor to our guests today, we would like to show a short video on Task Force Bangon Marawi’s efforts over the previous weeks.
Okay… while we’re fixing the audio, I’d like to read some of the information as shown in the video.
Recently, the Mindanao State University held its first commencement exercises after the war, back in its Marawi Campus on January 24th. Around 1,100 students received their diplomas during the ceremony. Senator Sonny Angara, Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government was the Guest Speaker. During the siege, MSU-Marawi with a campus just 5 kilometers away from the most affected area had to relocate its graduation rites outside of the city.
Also in the video, we are seeing the MOA signing of DOST. The Department of Science and Technology — Science Education Institute tied up with the Mindanao State University and Iligan Institute of Technology to implement the DOST-SEI Bangon Marawi Program and Science and Technology Human Resources Development.
A ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for program was held in MSU Main Campus, attended by Campus Academic Heads, Faculty Members, students, DOST grantees and scholars. To witness the MOA signing, the representatives of the Task Force Bangon Marawi – Technical Working Group were also present in the event, as members of the program’s oversight committee.
Another update as we can see in the video is the groundbreaking of the military camp in Barangay Kapantaran in Marawi City which was attended by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on 30th January 2018. The project aims to secure a stronghold and establish a strategic base in the city to prevent the reentry of Maute-ISIS inspired terrorist groups, and protect the region from any security threats.
There was also a distribution of Certificates of Acceptance and Occupancy of Transitional Shelters on the same day. The President led the distribution of 400 Certificates of Acceptance and Occupancy of Transitional Shelters to residents left homeless by the 5-month battle between government troops and local terrorist groups. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, together with national and local officials witnessed the ceremony on January 30th at the site of the temporary settlement in Barangay Sagonsongan which is about 4.4 kilometers away from the city center.
Also, the National Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Office of Civil Defense through Task Force Bangon Marawi distributed 352 boxes of non-food items, containing kitchenware, sleeping gears and hygiene kits to the IDPs currently sheltered in Barangay Sagonsongan transitory shelters. The Department of Health also provided and distributed water jugs.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed Family Pabaon Packs – sleeping and hygiene kits along with P5,000 worth of financial assistance per family. There is also an ongoing cash-for-work assistance for households to address livelihood concerns of residents living in the transitory site. Beneficiaries of this program received P200 worth of cash per day.
Also, the Landbank of the Philippines launched several financing schemes to aid displaced Marawi residents with their livelihood and in rebuilding infrastructures. The HARVEST Program which is Harnessing Agribusiness Opportunities for Robust and Vibrant Entrepreneurship Supportive of Peaceful Transformation can provide concessional loans to agribusiness enterprises, farmers, cooperatives, MSMEs and several organizations for capital investments. It is financed through the 1.76 billion Official Development Assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA.
DIR. GEN. CLAVITE: The ODA is specifically intended to help, expand opportunities for investments and jobs in Marawi and also other conflict affected areas in Mindanao. Another financing assistance is the Calamity Rehabilitation Support Program. Through this program existing clients of the bank in Marawi and other municipalities in Lanao Del Sur may avail loan restructuring, while new clients may enter into a loan with lower interest rates and with longer payment tenure.
Land Bank also arranged the special credit program that will be available to cooperatives, small and medium enterprises, non-government organizations, countryside financial institution, schools, universities and colleges and even the LGUs, the Local Government Units.
Also there were private donations that came in the past two weeks. I am Pinoy Proud Ako, a group of Overseas Filipino Workers from New York City and other parts of the United States and the world through Task Force Bangon Marawi donated 400 school bags to the children of the affected families in the Biyaya ng Pagbabago Transitional site on January 29th.
For the part of PCOO and PIAs Information Management and strategic communications support group, a serbisyo caravan was conducted on February 6 and 8 to bring the government services closer to affected communities, there were services including medical checkup and distribution of medicine by DOH, dental tips for children, free text and call which was facilitated by DICT, and also DSWD opened a grievance desk and the Office of the City Mayor through the local civil registry also provided services to the people.
An art workshop was conducted for the children and youth, there was a magic show and performances from volunteers provided entertainment to the children while the services were going on. More than a thousand residents of Barangays Bacolod Chico, Tuca, Toros and Lumbaca Toros in Marawi participated in the caravan. The second day was held in the Biyaya ng Pagbabago Transitional site in Barangay Sagonsongan.
Now I give you Mayor Majul Gandamra for his opening statement.
MAYOR GANDAMRA: Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. I think with the updates given by Secretary Clavite. It is more than enough to inform the public on what’s happening to Marawi City and if you may allow me, I would just like to answer some queries later on. Thank you po!
USEC. MILLAR: Maayong Buntag, for the updates in the most affected area in Marawi.
EO 49 series of 2018 signed by our President, President Duterte on February 5 and released on the same date has already been published. This Executive Order designated NHA, a key shelter agency, key shelter agency of HUDCC to be the lead implementing agency in the master development of the most affected area. Also yesterday we have already published the guidelines, the JV guidelines for the unsolicited proposal for the proposal from the proponents for the development of the most affected area covering 24 barangays in Marawi City.
The deadline that we have set for any unsolicited proposals for submission of these proposals would be on February 12 that would be Monday. On February 13 we are convening the Bangon Marawi selection committee for the details and also on February 14, there will be a Task Force Bangon Marawi – all members meeting, this will be the first all members meeting for 2018. The processing of the unsolicited proposals would be from February 13 to 18, this will be done by a 14 department members for the technical working group, processing the unsolicited proposals.
We have maintained our deadlines that the groundbreaking ceremony for the development of the most affected area to be on the last week of April 2018. Maraming salamat po!
DIR. GEN. CLAVITE: And we call on the President of Small Business Corporation. Ms. Cacanando.
CACANANDO: Magandang umaga po, I’m Luna, the SB Corp is a GOCC created under the Magna Carta for SMEs, we are under the DTI. We manage the P3 fund, pondo sa pagbabago at pag-asenso which is a 1 billion fund yearly starting 2017. So in 2018 the SB Corp Board has allocated 100 million for lending to Marawi micro-entrepreneurs including a tricycle operator – drivers, public market vendors under very soft terms in fact the interest rate up to—for loans released to Marawi residents – up to April will be interest free. And then after April it will still be a soft loan of 1% per month and we hope to regularize the system in 2019 for sustainability. We also have allocated 50 million for the families of KIA – killed in action and wounded in action soldiers – these are also, we call it an investment fund were the loan is –or the fund is payable over 5 years but no repayment required during the first two years and interest rate is really very low at 2% per year. So maybe I will just receive your questions later on.
DIR. GEN. CLAVITE: Thank you Ms. Luna, before we pass on the microphone to Rocky for the questions, I’d like to give a few minutes to Mayor Gandamra to provide latest updates on the recent Kambalingan that took place at couple of days ago and the upcoming ones.
MAYOR GANDAMRA: The recent Kambalingan took place last February 7 at four barangays such as Pulo Ambolong, Bagalamatan Gambai, Cadayunan 1 and Bubonga Cadayunan. As of today, a total of 63 barangays have returned out of the 72 barangays considered as cleared areas by the security forces.
Roughly 38,000 families have returned to Marawi City and we hope to bring all the residents from the cleared barangays back home this month or as soon as possible and the remaining 13 barangays will be scheduled soon upon the advice of the security forces.
Residents from the remaining portions of the three Saduc areas such as Saduc proper, Lilod Saduc and Raya Saduc identified as near the danger zone or no build zone. Areas had their home visitation yesterday and areas considered as cleared will be scheduled for return anytime soon again upon the advice of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
ROSE NOVENARIO/HATAW: Good morning sir, Mayor. Meron po kayong namo-monitor na mga bagong pagkilos or may nare-regroup pa po ba uling other terrorists group po sa Marawi or other adjacent areas po?
MAYOR GANDAMRA: Based po doon sa report few weeks ago. Sa Marawi po ay wala pong mga reported recruitment of this ISIS-inspired group. But as to the other municipalities, ayun po sa report ng ating Armed Forces of the Philippines and other security forces ay meron pong mga areas na may possibilities that nagkakaroon po ng mga recruitment, but ito po ay na-address ng ating security forces.
ROSE/HATAW: Ano ho iyong reaksyon ninyo doon sa pagpayag ng Supreme Court po doon sa extension ng martial law sa Mindanao, palagay n’yo po ba makakalatulong ito sa ganap na pagbangon ng Marawi?
MAYOR GANDAMRA: Well, nandiyan na po iyong martial and on the part of the local government of Marawi City, we supported the extension of the martial law and as to the… iyong desisyon ng Supreme Court in confirming the validity of the extension of martial law ay tayo po ay naniniwala na makakatulong po especially in addressing itong sinasabi natin na the possibilities of recruitment of would-be members of this ISIS-inspired group.
So iyan po ay malaking tulong po on top of the—iyong maitutulong nila during this –- Itong impending reconstruction and rebuilding of Marawi City.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Kay Usec. Millar, sir. Sir how many groups have submitted their unsolicited proposals for Marawi?
USEC. MILLAR: Wala pang nag-submit ano. Based on the informal communication that we received, we expect about 5 or 6 proponents who will be submitting unsolicited proposals on Monday. That’s gonna be on February 12. That’s the deadline that we have—told them that the deadline would be February 12.
PIA/ABS-CBN: Sir, will we be accepting proposals from foreign groups?
USEC. MILLAR: Yes, actually based on the informal communications relayed to us, foreign companies have signified their intention to participate in the master development of Marawi.
PIA/ABS-CBN: Saan-saang bansa po ito,sir?
USEC. MILLAR: Again, based on the informal communications, coming from China and Malaysia.
MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Sir European Union kasama doon sa mga nag-offer ng assistance?
USEC. MILLAR: Wala kaming natanggap na intent from the European Union.
MARICEL/TV5: Mayor, may we just have your reaction on the plan of the government to build a second military camp in Marawi, because I understand some of the Moro groups are not into the idea?
MAYOR GANDAMRA: Maraming salamat po sa katanungan at yes of course during the—in fact there was this groundbreaking ceremony when the President was in Marawi City, nagkaroon po tayo ng groundbreaking ceremony of the new establishment of battalion camp doon po sa Barangay Kapantaran, Marawi City and meron ho tayong mga naririnig na mga iba’t-ibang opinion from the different sectors and of course we respect their opinion. But at the end of the day, ang importante naman dito ay kaya natin gagawin ito because we want to address, we want to strengthen the security measures that is being imposed or that is being employed by the government. At siguro ang nangyari ho sa Marawi City ay isang malaking lesson na dapat po talaga, we have to strengthen our security forces, iyong presence ng security forces sa Marawi City and Lanao Del Sur. So, but of course we have to conduct dialogue with the different sectors para ng sa ganoon po ay maliwanagan sila, ma-enlighten sila sa purpose ng establishment ng new camp.
MARICEL/TV5: So sir as far as the local government is concerned, you are in favor of building the second camp.
MAYOR GANDAMRA: Yes, of course, because gusto ho namin na talagang ma-strengthen iyong presence ng security forces to address all possible threat, security threat sa ating lugar.
MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Pero, sir, how will this affect iyong mga rehabilitation at saka pagpu-provide ng assistance doon sa mga residente, because I understand, ang concern nila is baka instead daw na makapag-focus on the assistance para sa kanila, ma-divert pa iyong funding doon sa building of the camp?
MAYOR GANDAMRA: Well, I think Usec. Villar can answer that. But again, as compared doon sa budgetary allocation intended for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi City, doon naman sa gagastusin doon sa pag-establish ng new camp is very minimal. Hindi ho ganoon kalaki para maapektuhan ang reconstruction and rehabilitation ng Marawi City!
USEC. MILLAR: The President has been very, very consistent in his pronouncements that money will be spent for the rehabilitation of Marawi. In fact, last January 30, he reiterated that this administration will spend money for the rehabilitation of the most affected area and the entire Marawi City.
The construction of a new military camp in Marawi City will not, in anyway, impede the rehabilitation of Marawi. In fact, the Task Force Bangon Marawi is so focused that we are maintaining our timelines for the development of the most affected area in Marawi City.
ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Hi, sir. Kay Sir Millar po. Sir, puwede ninyo po sa aming i-disclose iyong pong most essential parts noon pong guidelines regarding sa unsolicited proposal?
USEC. MILLAR: Ma’am, iyong guidelines po natin ay na publish kahapon sa Inquirer at saka sa isang tabloid po kahapon, so nandoon lahat. Mayroon tayong mga parameters, 16 parameters na nakapaloob doon sa guidelines; minimum scope of the master development plan.
HENRY URI/DZRH: Good morning, sir. Matanong lang ho namin, iyong mga bidders, kung may nanalo na ba? Tapos na ba ang bidding? Sinu-sino na ho iyong mga bidders na nabigyan ng award para ho dito sa konstruksyon ng mga pabahay?
USEC. MILLAR: Doon sa master development plan, ang deadline na sinabmit namin for the submission of the proponents for their proposals would be February 12. Doon sila magsa-submit ng kani-kanilang proposals. Unsolicited ito, then we will start the processing of the unsolicited proposal by February 13. So siguro this will take a week, hanggang February 18.
The technical working group will be processing all the proposals, and submit the score cards to the Bangon Marawi Selection Committee.
HENRY URI/DZRH: Pero today is February 9, tama po ba ‘no. May mga nagsumite na ho ba? Mayroon na bang nagpadala na sa inyo ng interes na sumali sa bidding?
USEC. MILLAR: Mayroon tayong mga informal communications that they will be submitting proposals, and then we told them na February 12 iyong deadline namin. So most probably, all of them will submit on February 12.
HENRY URI/DZRH: Paano kayo magiging transparent sa pagpapakita sa publiko na wala pong magiging anumang anomalya itong prosesong ito?
USEC. MILLAR: Ang technical working group natin ay 14-man ito coming from different departments. And then also, mayroon tayong representative ng COA na nandoon in every phase of the technical working group processing. And then after that, after ng processing ng technical working group, all the score cards, all the proponents with score cards will be submitted to the Bangon Marawi Selection Committee, which the Bangon Marawi Selection Committee will act as the bids and awards committee who would recommend to the chairman of the Task Force Bangon Marawi the original proponent status.
And then after that, the original proponent status will be subjected to a Swiss Challenge, wherein the public may again, submit their proposals contesting the original proponent.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Usec. Millar, doon po sa end of April na groundbreaking po natin na deadline, ano po iyong ini-expect natin, sir, doon?
USEC. MILLAR: Nakapaloob nga doon sa pinablish natin na JV guidelines iyong minimum parameters doon sa master development. So iyong ini-expect natin diyan is that we will be… that would signal the start of the rehabilitation of the most affected areas which is composed of 24 barangays in Marawi.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: So start pa lang sir, iyong April?
USEC. MILLAR: Yes.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: And how long do we think … or sini-set natin, sir, based on the guidelines iyong timeframe ng entire construction, sir?
USEC. MILLAR: No later than December 2021.
DG CLAVITE: Thank you, Rocky. Thank you, MPC. If you don’t have questions anymore, we will close today’s briefing. But before we do so, we’d like to encourage everyone to keep following us on social media to get more updates since we’re doing the briefing only every other Friday. So for any updates in between, you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook – bangonmarawiph.
And we would also like to announce that the Task Force Bangon Marawi will have an exhibit booth during the National Information Convention that is being organized by PCOO and PIA in SMX Convention Center in Davao City on the 19th to 21st of February 2018. So we encourage everyone to watch the event through live streaming via PTV and Facebook Live. Maraming salamat po!
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Source: PCOO-NIB (News and Information Bureau) #NIB
