TFBM rolls out infra projects, other aid in Marawi

Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) and housing czar Sec. Eduardo del Rosario (Contributed photo from DSHUD via PNA)

MANILA – The Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) has rolled out various infrastructure projects and other assistance inside the 24 barangays hard-hit during the five-month-long siege in Marawi City.

TFBM chairperson Secretary Eduardo del Rosario on Sunday said the rehabilitation of the war-torn city has two major components which include infrastructure development and non-infrastructure intervention.

“Infrastructure development is basically about building horizontal and vertical projects, but it’s only about 30 percent of the total requirements of the rehabilitation,” said del Rosario, also the country’s housing czar, in a statement.

He added that non-infrastructure intervention makes up 70 percent of the rehabilitation process and also covers the recovery efforts for residents affected by the conflict.

“We cannot make Marawi rise again only through vertical infrastructure as it won’t serve the purpose. Non-infrastructure intervention is a very vital component of the rehabilitation and in them, we can see the requirements for social services, education, health, and everything that cannot be quantified physically, but is very important to have a smooth and working society,” del Rosario said.

Del Rosario said the government targets Marawi’s rehabilitation as a “catalyst for growth” as it pushes to “establish good governance, and achieve a very peaceful environment.”

“All of these three major objectives must be achieved in order for us at the end of the day to say that the rehabilitation is attested,” he said.

Del Rosario vowed that the government, through the TFBM, will continue providing assistance and carrying out social interventions to fast-track the recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the city.

“Today, I reiterate that we will complete the rehabilitation of Marawi by December 2021. As promised by no less than our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte — Marawi will rise again as a prosperous city,” he said.

Infra projects in Marawi

On the other hand, del Rosario assured that all infrastructure projects and rehabilitation programs in Marawi City will be completed within President Rodrigo Duterte’s term.

“As we speak, full-scale rehabilitation efforts are ongoing within most affected area (MAA) — the construction of road networks, the Grand Padian Market, the Integrated School, the Fire Station, Peace Memorial, and other major infrastructure projects are now on full swing,” he said.

He added that the reconstruction of several mosques destroyed during the siege has also commenced.

The task force has alloted some PHP4.39-million fund to rebuild the Masjid Darussalam in Barangay Raya Madaya, del Rosario said.

The Masjid Disomangcop in Barangay Daguduban will be funded with PHP12.25 million and the White Mosque in Barangay Lumbac Madaya will be reconstructed with PHP15.5 million allotment.

Del Rosario added that the task force is preparing to reconstruct more or less 30 mosques including the Dansalan Bato Mosque and the Grand Mosque, using the donations from private organizations.

The government, meanwhile, is set to fully restore the entire electric and water system in the 24 barangays’ MAA in Marawi city.

Del Rosario said the Local Water Utilities Administration in the city already received its funding to prompt the construction of the water pumping station and other water connection projects inside the MAA.

Meanwhile, the funding for the construction of a power sub-station and other electrical projects has also been provided to the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, he added.

Del Rosario said electricity issues within Sector 1, 2, and 3 of those identified as most devastated 24 barangays have already been restored.

He added that the construction of permanent housing for Marawi residents is set to be completed by December 2021.

The housing project is being undertaken by the National Housing Authority, through the government’s partnership with the Social Finance Housing Corporation and the UN-Habitat, he said.

Del Rosario earlier said the government will prioritize providing permanent housing units to internally displaced persons who don’t have land titles and those who are living in the danger areas of Marawi City.