Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. on Wednesday, December 27, announced the formal turnover of transitory shelters to families affected by the Marawi siege.
“Nandito po tayo sa Marawi upang mag-formal turnover para sa kauna-unahang pabahay na ibibigay natin sa ating mga kababayang nasalanta ng gyera dito sa Marawi,” Roque said in a press briefing held in Lanao del Sur Provincial Capitol.
A total of 1,170 transitory shelters will be constructed in Barangay Sagonsongan in Marawi City. As of yesterday, there were 551 units completed, with water and electrical lines, and 500 of these units are available for turnover.
Moreover, Roque said that another 300 units would be transferred in Matungao by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), bringing in a total of 800 transitory shelters transferred to displaced families in Marawi.
“This is just the beginning,” Roque exclaimed, as more housing shelters will soon be built.
‘Trade and livelihood assistance’
Meanwhile, Secretary Ramon Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that the DTI already conducted more than 500 training and livelihood assistance programs to Marawi evacuees.
“Na-train po sila sa dressmaking—yung iba po kasi may ganoon na silang negosyo–, noodle processing, food processing, at mga iba pang serbisyong pang-negosyo,” Lopez said.
Aside from the trainings, Marawi entreprenuers were also given market access by DTI for their products through trade exhibits like the Bangon Marawi Product Store and Noel Bazaar.
Moreover, the DTI will distribute mini rice mills and hauling trucks to 12 beneficiaries before the year ends. Also to be given away are 20 sets of electronic starter kits, 20 sets of carpentry tools and 35 sewing machines.
According to Trade Secretary Lopez, the DTI is working on opening public markets, commissaries, and stores around Marawi City. It is also looking to put up an eco-zone for large manufacturing firms to generate local employment.
‘Agricultural supplements’
The Department of Agriculture (DA), on the other hand, has turned over to Marawi farmers assorted vegetable seeds, hybrid rice seeds, and fertilizer, as well as farming equipment such as tractors, harvesters, rice threshers, corn shellers, and water pumps.
“Immediate turnover of hand tractors na 100 horsepower. Water pump para sa natural water irrigation,” Agriculture Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan said in the same press briefing.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), on its part, will provide 500 boats as well as gill nets and P2,500 cash to beneficiaries.
In addition, BFAR National Director Eduardo Gongona said they launched the “Balik Sigla ng mga Ilog at Lawa” program, covering the entire Lanao Lake, where two-million fingerlings and 50 breeders will be placed in rivers and tributaries. ###PCO-Content
