Solons raise P13 M for Marawi victims

The evacuees who end up at the provincial government’s headquarters. (Photo: City Government of Marawi/Facebook)

MANILA — The House of Representatives has set up a fund drive to help extend relief to the victims in Marawi City and a total of PHP13 million has so far been raised by lawmakers.

House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas bared on Monday that at least 200 lawmakers have donated to provide humanitarian assistance to the families affected by the Marawi siege through a fund-raising spearheaded by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Fariñas said the fundraising cropped up last May 28 to 31.

To recall, Alvarez urged his colleagues during his sine die adjournment speech to generate funds for the recovery of the besieged Marawi and the money raised will be placed in a trust fund.

“We have to do our part in sharing the heavy burden of what happened in Marawi City. To this end, may I inform you that the House of Representatives has taken the initiative to create a trust fund to aid in this mission,” Alvarez said.

Similarly, Deputy minority leader and Kabayan Partylist Rep. Harry Roque has proposed a PHP10-billion supplemental budget to fund the rehabilitation of Marawi City through the filing of House Bill No. 5874 or the Tindeg Marawi Bill.

The proposed budget shall be used to provide humanitarian assistance to Marawi victims as well as for the rehabilitation of destroyed infrastructures, properties, and businesses.

Roque said the measure supplements the “declared intention of the Executive Department” to allot PHP10 billion for the rehabilitation of Marawi.

The appropriated amount shall be released to the Department of National Defense, Department of Education, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the National Housing Authority.