The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) gave the green light to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to resume its post-conflict needs assessment (PCNA) in the remaining barangays in Marawi City, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar announced on Friday.
“Forty-seven more barangays will undergo the damage and loss assessment or DALA in addition to the first 49 barangays completed,” Secretary Andanar said during the Bangon Marawi Press Briefing in Malacanang.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Andanar assured, will continue to provide social services and assistance to the affected communities.
The DSWD already gave a total of P769.98-million worth of foods, non-food items, and cash, and will also provide cash-for-work opportunities for returning IDPs in Marawi.
The local government of Marawi, on the other hand, will continue to facilitate the “Kambalingan”, a Maranao term for homecoming, of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Meanwhile, the information management and strategic communications support group of Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM). led by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and its development communication arm, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), in coordination with the local government units and various government agencies, have successfully conducted the second set of “Mashwara,” or community gathering, in the municipalities of Pantao Ragat and Baloi in Lanao del Norte on November 28 and November 29.
“More than 1,600 internally displaced persons from five evacuation centers participated in these events,” PCOO chief Andanar said.
Social services, including medical and dental check-ups, and free civil registration were simultaneously provided during the Mashwara activities.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) Bangon Marawi team facilitated the provisions of land allocation for a temporary school in Barangay Sagonsongan, which can house an estimated 2,350 students, and an additional site to be provided by Marawi City Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra.
“We can see the different departments of the government na ginagawa nila ‘yung dapat gawin para matulungan natin ‘yung ating mga kababayan sa Marawi City. Ito ay tinatawag natin na whole of government approach in alleviating the present condition of the Marawi residents,” Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairperson Eduardo Del Rosario said.
‘Start of early recovery stage for Marawi rehab’
The succeeding months, following the AFP’s termination of combat operation and declaration that the main battle area in Marawi is resistance-free, mark the beginning of the early recovery stage for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi City and other affected areas of Lanao del Sur.
“The provincial government of Lanao del Sur, with its component city Marawi, has identified five priorities to support the national government,” Lanao Del Sur Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong disclosed.
In terms of a housing facility, Alonto said the Lanao del Sur provincial government already donated additional two hectares of land in Barangay Sagonsongan for the setting up of the temporary shelters.
As for transportation and road network infrastructures, the construction of two major highways connecting Lanao del Sur in Marawi City to the province of Bukidnon on the eastern side and the Tagoloan-Kapai highway leading to Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental on the western side is now underway.
With regard to livelihood assistance, the province’s technology and livelihood development center put up a facility for dressmaking, weaving of traditional Maranao garments, and cooking.
Concerning education, the Lanao del Sur provincial government granted full academic financial support to 500 elementary students, 500 high school students, and 1,000 college students.
‘TF Bangon Marawi website and DTI Bangon Marawi product store launched’
In the same press briefing, the PCOO chief officially announced the launching of Task Force Bangon Marawi website.
The website, which can be accessed at www.bangonmarawi. com, provides the latest Marawi rehabilitation-related news, information, stories, and advisories.
“A donate page will soon be integrated into the site’s features,” Andanar said.
Also, Andanar urged the public to “drop by and shop” at the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Bangon Marawi product store in Makati City.
The store, which was launched last September 29, features Maranao products such as brassware, wooden furniture, woven items, jewelry, fashion accessories, and native delicacies being sold by exhibitors who are home-based IDPs in Metro Manila.
The Bangon Marawi product store will run until December 29. ###PCO-Content
