Marawi residents back building of military camp: task force

Office of Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Kristoffer Purisima, during the Bangon Marawi press briefing in Malacañang on April 20, 2018, announces that they have been conducting consultations with various stakeholders and the residents of Marawi City on the rehabilitation of the 24 severely damaged barangays. The discussion include, timeline for the return of our internally displaced persons; competing land claims; locations of proposed public infrastructure and specifications. YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – The Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) on Friday said residents of Marawi are in favor of the government’s plan to build a military camp in Marawi City.

TFBM spokesperson and Office of the Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisma made this clarification following reports that local residents are opposing the creation of a military camp as part of the city’s reconstruction plan.

“Based on feedback we got from consultation with our brothers, they are in favor of military camp because we must remember that we need security measures for most affected area,” Purisma said in a Bangon Marawi press briefing in Malacanang.

Purisima said the task force has been conducting series of consultations with the residents to get their suggestions on how to rebuild war-torn Marawi City.

“Overall, the stakeholders participating in the discussions expressed their appreciation for being informed and consulted on the proposed plans for the rehabilitation of the most affected area which directly affects them and the larger community,” Purisima said.

“The discussions allowed for sharing of correct information, discussing concerns of stakeholders, as well as potential solutions,” he added.

He said the consultations were participated by 34 clans in 13 clusters particularly those from 24 barangays of the most affected area.

Purisima said a third independent party has facilitated the discussions on the plans to rehabilitate and rebuild the severely-damaged area by a five-month conflict between government troops and ISIS-inspired groups.

“The Task force would like to thank all participants in the discussions for their feedback, openness and sharing of concerns,” Purisima said.

He said residents have been assured that results of the consultations will be used to finalize the rehabilitation and reconstruction plans for Marawi.

Purisima said the task force has also assured close collaboration with local government units (LGUs) for regular feedback during the implementation of rehabilitation plan.

He said the negotiations for the selection of the developer of the most affected area will be completed by early this May.

“Then we will begin the process for the Swiss Challenge and then other intended proponents may then challenge those terms and we will determine the developer by the end of May,” Purisima said.

He said the Bagong Marawi Consortium has submitted initial proposal of Php17.2 billion to rebuild the most affected area.