MARAWI GETS P100T CHECK FROM MANDAUE CITY

The Mandaue City Government through Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna gave P100,000 as financial assistance for the rehabilitation of Marawi City earlier today. Fortuna flew to Marawi at 6 a.m. He turned over the check to Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra and the city treasurer when they reached City Hall. Rehabilitation is still ongoing following the five-month war between government troops and the Maute terrorist group that ended in October. Fortuna described the war zone in Marawi as “a no man’s land,” saying it was like a “ghost town.” “Business in some parts has resumed. But many have yet to come back,” he said. Fortuna and three others from Mandaue City were escorted by Lacs Panantaon, a former member of the Philippine Councilors’ League of Lanao del Sur, from Cagayan de Oro. He said they had to stop at several checkpoints during their trip, where soldiers or policemen asked for their identification cards. “I felt sad seeing it’s state but hopeful seeing that the Maranaos have started to rebuild their lives and resume their daily activities. The national and local government have started building temporary homes for the evacuees. And in the evacuation center it’s heartwarming to see children studying in temporary classrooms and taught by teachers who are evacuees themselves,” he said. Fortuna said that Mandaue’s assistance was not immediately sent to Marawi due to security reasons.