Press Briefing

Bangon Marawi Press Briefing with Task Force Bangon Marawi Chairperson Eduardo del Rosario, HUDCC Secretary-General Falconi Millar, Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra, and Col. Antonio Francisco (PAF) from the Civil Relations Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines


Event Bangon Marawi Press Brefing

ROCKY IGNACIO/PTV4: Good morning Malacañang Press Corps, welcome sa Bangon Marawi Briefing. Today we have Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario, Mayor Majul Gandamra, Col. Antonio Francisco representing Maj. Gen. Datuin Bienvenido, and Undersecretary Falconi Millar. Good morning, sir.

HUDCC SEC. GEN. MILLAR: Good morning. For the updates, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process spearheaded “Duyog Ramadhan Alang sa Kalinaw” – a solidarity project for those living in transitory sites in Marawi. This aims to provide support to the religious practices of the IDPs in time for the last ten days of Ramadan amidst the limitations and challenges they are facing at the transitional shelters. Peace activities such peace conversations, community Iftars, Koran reading contest and Islamic film showing were conducted to reach out to around 1,500 families in Sarimanok Tent City, Sagonsongan and Bahay Pag-asa from June 6 to 15.

OPAPP also facilitated the fourth town hall meeting in Marawi stakeholders at Brgy. Cabasaran. Key concerns of IDPs were accordingly discussed. A convergence peace caravan that would include community peace dialogues and gift giving will also be held in some target barangays in Marawi from June 11 to 13.

On health and sanitation in Sagonsongan – While the city’s rehabilitation is ongoing, the Task Force Bangon Marawi makes sure that the residents of Marawi are in good shape. A health sanitation for Marawi’s internally displaces persons was launched in the Biyaya ng Pagbabago transitional site in Brgy. Sagonsongan on May 29. The health facility has been constructed in Area 2 of the site thru the funding of the Marawi Local Government Unit; manpower and logistic for its operations are being made possible through the collaboration of Marawi City Health Office, Department of Health and the Non-Government Organizations.

A doctor, a nurse and two midwives are assigned here to provide services to the patients. This health station will also be able to accommodate the residents of three adjacent barangays. Moreover, IDPs in evacuation and transitional sites also continue to receive health services; the Department of Health augmentation teams hired local health workers who can speak Maranao in order to address the language barrier and facilitate more effective consultations and interventions among the internally displaced persons.

On hygiene promotions for IDPs – The Marawi City Health Office together with the Non-Government Organization Action Against Hunger recently conducted a hygiene promotion activity for the internally displaced persons at Sarimanok Tent City Site 1. Proper hand washing and food preparation were among the topics discussed; more health and sanitation activities for the internally displaced persons will be conducted in order to actively prevent water-borne diseases like diarrhea, cholera and dysentery.

On home-based IDPs donations – On relief 423 home-based internally displaced families from the most affected area of Marawi City who are temporarily residing in Brgy. Del Carmen, Iligan City received 50 kilograms of rice each through the partnership of the World Food Program, Marawi City Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Task Force Bangon Marawi and Barangay Local Government Unit of Del Carmen. More barangays with high concentration of home-based IDPs from MAA are expected to receive rice donations in the following days, as the coordinating agencies understand the need for assistance. 37,798 internally displaced families are currently home-based in Region X and ARMM. 1,072 families are in 37 evacuation centers – 10 evacuation centers in Region X and 27 in ARMM.

On Islamic Relief Worldwide – Meanwhile more than 1,400 families in Brgy. Bito Buadi Itowa, Buganga and Sarimanok Tent City received Ramadan food packs from Islamic Relief Worldwide Philippines last May 31. Each food packs contains 15 kilos of rice, 2 liters of cooking oil, half a kilo each of mongo beans and iodized salt and 3 cans each of sardines and corned beef – all of which are halal certified.

On opening of classes in Marawi and on education – Classes in Marawi started on June 4. Over 14,000 students are currently enrolled in more than 30 primary and secondary public schools in Marawi City for the School Year 2018–2018. There are 47 schools outside the most affected area, but some schools that are too close to each other were merged by the Department of Education instead in order to maximize the resources and manpower.

On UN Habitat to build 1,500 permanent housing – 1,500 permanent housing units for Marawi’s internally displaced persons will be built by United Nations Human Settlements Program-UN Habitat. On May 24, the Marawi City Government, socialized Housing Finance Corporation, Government of Japan and UN Habitat signed a Memorandum of Understanding in support of the rehabilitation process of Marawi City. Residents of Marawi formerly living in danger zones of the city will be prioritized in the said housing program.

To help re-establish the livelihood of farming families in Marawi, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations distributed broiler production packages on May 24 during the Marawi Week of Peace. Farmer-resident from Brgy. Lumbaca, Turos, Poana Marantao, Pintolan, Tuka Amita Marantao, Dayawan, Bacolod Chico and Turos benefitted from these interventions.

On Ramadan Trade Fair – The Department of Trade and Industry-Lanao Del Sur also opened the Ramdan Trade Fair at the People’s Park, Marawi City in partnership with the Provincial Government of Lanao Del Sur through its Technology and Livelihood Development Center and Negosyo Center. Thirty five exhibitors participated in the said trade fair wherein different Maranao products such as Walapa, Kalawag, Malong and others are being sold. The trade fair will run until June 10 from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

That’s all for my updates. I now give the floor to the action man, TFBM Chairman Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario.

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: Thank you very much Ace, and to my co-panelists, good morning. Mayor Majul Gandamra, Col. Francisco of CRS…

For start, we would like to give you a video presentation of some of the accomplishments of Task Force Bangon Marawi. Our presentation, please… [VIDEO PRESENTATION]

Those are the latest accomplishments of Task Force Bangon Marawi.

MARAWI MAYOR GANDAMRA: Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat, at kami po ay handa sa inyong mga katanungan and the updates were given by Usec. Millar.

COL. FRANCISCO: Sec. Del Rosario, sir… all the gentlemen and gentle ladies around, magandang, magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. I am Col. Antonio Francisco the Deputy Commander of Civil Relations Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and I will be—or I am representing Maj. Gen. Bienvenido Datuin in his capacity as the Head of the AFP Task Force Bangon Marawi with the following sub-committees: security, peace and order, non-resource management and reconstruction.

Sir, I will just be giving you some updates from General Datuin. For the security peace and order, the Joint Task Force Ranao is composed of 1 brigade, 5 battalions and 1 company; it is deployed at different areas of Lanao Del Sur as shown. And the requested amount of 83 million was approved by the Chairman, Task Force Bangon Marawi, for endorsement to the President. The breakdown is as shown.

For the land resource management, an amount of 38.8 million for surveying the Camp Ranao was approved and the details are as shown.

Further, 51.3 million intended for the purchase of land for military camp was approved; it is now at the Office of the President. And just yesterday, a three-day sub-committee workshop on budget planning was held at Cagayan De Oro City from 05-07, June 2018. The workshop was spearheaded by the DENR as the lead agency.

Again, for the reconstruction, the joint task force builder is composed of three engineering battalions and one EOD company is deployed at different areas of Lanao Del Sur.

The fund requirement and the amount of 206.9 million to support ground clearing operation of the most affected areas, was disapproved for reason that clearing can be done by private contractors.

Still for the reconstruction – 80% of the Lanao Del Sur area was cleared of unexploded ordnance except for the sector 1, which is ongoing right now. And the area status is as shown.

The total recoveries from 13 February 18 to date, the details as shown.

That will be the end of my presentation. Sir, Maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: Before that, ano. Maybe you would like to know what will be the outcome of the development of the most affected area. We have a very short video presentation of the development plan. So that the public and the media can see the vision of Task force Bangon Marawi, in tandem with our developers.

So can we have a video presentation of the development plan of Marawi City.

USEC. MILLAR: Mr. Chair, while the video is being loaded. As the observance of Ramadan continuous, the Task Force Bangon Marawi supports the efforts of the religious leaders and local government units in promoting peace and social healing of our Maranao brothers and sisters. Maybe we could watch the video first for the observance of Ramadan.

(VIDEO PRESENTATION)

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: I think—are we ready with the development plan, iyong video? Can we have it?

MARICEL HALILI TV5: Hi, sir. Good morning. Sir, next week, will be the Eid’l Fitr. So, aside from the food packs that you have distributed to some of the residents of Marawi, How do you plan to celebrate Ramadan?

MAYOR GANDAMRA: Mayroon po kaming three-day celebration ng Eid’l Fitr and aside from the giving of relief goods and other support to the IDPs, mayroon din ho tayong ipamimigay na tulong para sa livelihood. For instance, iyong pong binigay ng Department of Energy through the Task Force Bangon Marawi, para po sa Marawi City. Iyong mga e-trikes, iyon po ay magkakaroon din ho ng launching para ho tulong doon sa ating mga kababayan to resurrect their economic well-being as a result of the siege ay talaga hong nagkaroon ng total collapse of the economic operations of Marawi City.

MARICEL HALILI TV5: I understand sir, some of the mosques, particularly doon sa battle area were destroyed because of the siege. So, ano iyong mga possible venue or replacement na binigay natin doon sa mga residents para maging place of worship nila?

MAYOR GANDAMRA: Marami po tayong mga mosques, masjid, na hindi pa ho…are not totally damaged, especially ho iyong outside the ground zero. Marami po tayong mga mosque na maaring doon magsimba to celebrate the Eid’l Fitr and in fact, nag-establish din ho tayo ng dalawang, masjid sa transitional shelters at iyon po ngayon ay operational at doon ho nagko-conduct ng prayers ang ating mga kapatid na Maranaos. So, marami po, marami pong mga masjid outside ground zero.

MARICEL HALILI TV5: Sir, last na lang. May we request for a message with regards doon sa celebration ng Ramadan para doon sa mga kapatid natin sa Marawi?

MAYOR GANDAMRA: Maraming salamat po. Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa ating gobyerno sa patuloy na pagsuporta sa Marawi City at ako rin po ay nanawagan sa ating mga kababayan na ito pong buwan ng Ramadan at ang kanyang pagtatapos ay sana po ay isapuso natin at iyon pong mga nangyari sa Marawi City ay maging malaking lesson sa atin at lahat ho ng hindi magandang nangyari o naranasan ng aking mga kababayan ay mapalitan po ng magandang pananaw sa buhay at dapat po we have to move forward, look forward and of course, dapat po magkaisa ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na po ang aking mga kababayan na Maranao, ng sa ganoon ay mapabangon naming muli ang Marawi City sa tulong ng ating gobyerno, through the Task Force Bangon Marawi and then of course our President, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Good morning po, sirs. Meron pa po ba tayong mga kababayan na naninirahan sa tent city as of this moment at kung meron po ilan pa po?

USEC. MILLAR: Ang ating evacuation centers ngayon ay 37 in separate locations kung nakita natin kanina doon sa presentation. At total of 1,072 families na lamang iyong nandoon sa evacuations centers at sa taong ito ay maililipat nating lahat ang mga naninirahan na IDPs from the evacuation centers to temporary shelters or permanent shelters, as the case maybe.

ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: In relation to that, sir. Ngayong officially declared na po ng PAG-ASA iyon pong start ng rainy season, how do we ensure or kailan natin sila maililipat sa mas okay na lugar para ma-ensure natin iyong health nila?

USEC. MILLAR: Kagaya ng sinabi ko kanina, ang target ng Task Force Bangon Marawi ay mailipat lahat ang mga naninirahan na IDPs sa evacuation centers ngayong 2018.

ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Pero kailangan po ba nating magdagdag ng mga medical personnel, paigtingin iyong health services para po maiwasan ang pagkakasakit ngayon pong umpisa na ng tag-ulan?

USEC. MILLAR: Patuloy naman ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng Task Force Bangon Marawi sa mga agency, lalo na ng Department of Health at DSWD.

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: Actually, to add to that statement. Initially we have 5,900 families and we were able to manage. Now, we only have 1,072 families. So, we can adequately manage the needs of the IDPs in the evacuation centers. So, the more that we can provide the adequate assistance.

USEC. MILLAR: Yes, ipakita muna natin iyong video tungkol doon sa development ng most affected area. As instructed by Chairman Del Rosario. Because, this might answer your questions and this is the first time that we will be releasing this to the media.

(VIDEO PRESENTATION)

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: Iyan ang concept natin para ma-develop ang Marawi City and that will be undertaken in the most affected area.

Q: Sir, may update na ba doon sa Swiss Challenge?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: As of today nasa finishing touches na iyong ongoing negotiation with the Bagong Marawi Consortium. And if there will be a successful negotiation that would be declared by Monday then on Tuesday the Swiss Challenge will start.

Q: May target date tayo sa groundbreaking sir?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: First week of July will be the groundbreaking.

ROCKY IGNACIO/PTV4: Question muna from Tina Mendez sir. Pinatatanong niya kung magkano daw po iyong total amount and breakdown of grants and official development assistance/pledges from foreign countries from Marawi rehab?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: As of the moment, wala pa tayong pledges; magkakaroon tayo ng pledging session. The Department of Finance will schedule at pledging session with the development partners or other countries. The estimated cost of the rehabilitation as of today is more or less 16 billion.

ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Sir, regarding po doon sa video na present ninyo po, nakita na po ng Pangulo?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: That will be shown during the Cabinet meeting on Monday. We will just like to take this opportunity to show it to the public that we are following the instruction of the President, that Marawi City will rise again as a prosperous city.

ROSALIE/UNTV: Sir, how do we address concerns na although na-report ninyo po na mayroong about more than a hundred consultations na ginagawa, may mga ilan po na mga stakeholder or mga residents na natakot daw pong magpahayag ng kanilang mga saloobin tungkol po sa rehabilitation efforts na ginagawa ng pamahalaan, sa takot na mapagbintangan sila na mga supporter or mga terrorist?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: Well, wala naman tayong nakukuhang ganoon information ano. What is important that during our consultation, majority maybe more than 90 percent of the populace are very supportive of our development plan. Ang—of course we could not satisfy all, there are still some individuals criticizing the plan but getting the support of more than 90 percent is good enough for us.

ROSALIE/UNTV: Regarding naman po doon sa military camp, tama po ba sa center ng Islamic City balak na itayo?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: Another fake news ano. Actually that is outside MAA, as a periphery lang to secure MAA, most especially during the rehabilitation phase.

ROSALIE/UNTV: Sa tingin ninyo po ba may concern dapat iyon pong mga kababayan natin doon na pupuwedeng magkaroon daw po ng—nagwo-worry sila magkaroon ng impact sa culture at sa religion ng mga residents?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: I don’t think so, dahil ang ating mga kasundaluhan, very professional. They are observing the culture on the ground. Mayroon tayong brigade headquarters that has been there for maybe three/four decades, at itong ilalagay nating unit, anak lang noong brigade na iyon. Hindi ito big deal on the part of the military, it’s just transforming the locations of the military troops to ensure that on a 24-hour basis, we can protect the whole Marawi City.

ROSALIE/UNTV: Doon po sa master rehab plan po, ilang taon po iyon para lahat noong infra, mga structures na binabalak po?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: It will be completed not later than the last quarter of 2021. So, more or less 3 years.

Q: Sir curious lang po, bakit po pabago-bago iyong mga petsa, target date natin, iyong sa Swiss Challenge?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: Well, we do not like to rush things ano. Iyon ang ganda ng ginagawa natin na hindi natin masyadong nira-rush dahil otherwise hindi natin makikita ng maganda iyong specifications or quality ng gagawin na mga infrastructure. And then the project cost component. Madugo ang aming ginagawang negotiation, we do not like na ma-compromise ang quality, as well as the cost, kailangan balancing act iyan. If this is the quality that we want, what is the appropriate project cost that will be applied to that particular infra. Siyempre negotiation ito, always the developers would ask for a high amount of project cost, but we requested some resource persons. We engage them per project, per building so that we can ensure that we get the right quality and the right price.

Q: So by Monday po target po natin magsisimula iyong Swiss Challenge, tama?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: Tuesday.

Q: Tuesday. Tapos first week of July, groundbreaking?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: Yes.

Q: Final na po ba iyan?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: Sa akin, masabi natin na 90/95 percent final. Everything is fluid. We are working on a time table. And I think this first week time table maybe July 5 or July 6, will be 90/95 percent accurate.

Q: Thank you sir.

ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Sir, nabanggit ninyo po madugo iyong pakikipag-negotiation ano po, pagdating po doon sa presyo noon pong mga structures, may epekto ba iyong inflation?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: Definitely everything was factored in and that’s why we have to really negotiate and find out everything, take the views of the developers, take the views of our resource persons and come up with the win-win solution or agreement, compromise. So that at the end of the day, the developers are happy, the government panels are happy because we got the right price with the good quality of work.

ROCKY IGNACIO/PTV4: Thank you, Secretary Del Rosario, you have message?

SEC. DEL ROSARIO: Well, I am very grateful for the support of the Maranaos, the Marawi City residents headed by Mayor Majul Gandamra and the province of Lanao Del Sur. I know that at the start, last March and onward we had undertaken massive consultations. We presented this development plan to the populace and once it was cleared to majority of them, they appreciated so much the efforts being undertaken by Task Force Bangon Marawi in rebuilding the City. Ang sinasabi nga natin palagi on the ground, let’s make this unfortunate incident to be a blessing in the sense that we can start the right way and come up with the very peaceful environment in Marawi City. Because at the end of the day, all this infrastructures will be for nothing if we will not attain a very peaceful environment in Marawi City and the whole province of Lanao Del Sur.

ROCKY IGNACIO/PTV4: Okay, thank you, Secretary Del Rosario. Thank you Usec. Millar. Thank you Mayor Gandamra and thank you Colonel Antonio Francisco. Back to our main studio sa Radyo Pilipinas and People’s Television Network.

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Source: PCOO-NIB (News and Information Bureau-Data Processing Center)

 

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