Legarda Seeks Senate Inquiry into Marawi Rehab

Senator Loren Legarda has filed Senate Resolution No. 439 that directs the Senate Committee on Finance to look into the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation plans of Task Force Bangon Marawi for Marawi City and all other areas affected by the ongoing armed conflict between government forces and the Maute group.

President Rodrigo Duterte, through Administrative Order No. 3, has established “Task Force Bangon Marawi” to facilitate the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City and all other localities affected by the current conflict in the area.

“We must restore hope, dignity and peace in Marawi City and other affected areas. Much more needs to be done to provide basic necessities to families affected by the crisis. We must ensure that in addition to immediate aid, they also have access to emergency employment and livelihood assistance even as the conflict continues,” Legarda stressed.

The fighting in Marawi City between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Maute group, which started in May 23, 2017, has led to widespread destruction of critical public infrastructure and facilities and private property.

The latest report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on the conflict in Marawi City estimates that the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has reached 351,168, with the number of IDPs staying at evacuation centers (ECs) at 17,389 and the number of IDPs living with family/friends at 333,779.

Moreover, it has been reported that the lack of sanitation and drinking water in overcrowded ECs has led to a significant rise in incidence of water-borne diseases and upper respiratory tract infections, and the need for shelter assistance is also a critical concern given the high probability of long-term displacement of affected residents.

“Rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Marawi and neighboring areas should include in its coverage not only public infrastructure but also private buildings and residences that have been destroyed in the fighting, taking into account the value of preserving local heritage, culture and religion,” Legarda concluded.