DILG assures transparency in Marawi rehab efforts

Seal of the Department of the Interior and Local Government of the Philippines (DILG) (Photo by Department of the Interior and Local Government – http://www.dilg.gov.ph, Public Domain)

MANILA — With the “liberation” of Marawi City from terrorist influence declared by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the government would be transparent and endeavor to continuously update the public on the rehabilitation of the war-torn city.

DILG Officer-in-Charge Catalino Cuy on Wednesday said that even ahead of the awaited close of the protracted Marawi siege, the inter-agency Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), created through Administrative Order No. 3 on June 28, 2017, had already started coordination and on-the-ground activities for the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi City and other affected localities.

“Informing affected communities and the general public of what the government is doing for Marawi rehabilitation is part and parcel of public service,” Cuy said in a statement on Wednesday.

Among the support groups created for the TFBM is the Information Management and Strategic Communication Support Group (IMSCSG) headed by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and co-headed by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

DILG Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Marjorie Jalosjos said that “IMSCSG ensures that all Marawi rebuilding narratives are consistent and accurate.”

“Now is the time to show and tell the Filipino people what the government, as a whole, can do through close cooperation and one vision at iyon ang makauwi ang mga taga-Marawi sa kanilang lungsod na mapayapa at maunlad,” Jalosjos said.

She added that communication initiatives are lined up, including the anticipated launching of a TFBM website.

The PIA is in-charge of the development of the website which will highlight the efforts of TFBM and will encourage the public to participate in Marawi rehabilitation.

“There is a development master plan to bring back a better Marawi and Ranao (Maranao people’s term for Lanao del Sur).

Ang bawat isa ay may maiaambag sa pagbangon ng Marawi,” Jalosjos said.

 (PNA)