Displaced families in Marawi City to transfer to transitional shelters

MARAWI CITY – As the government rebuilds this city, President Rodrigo Duterte led the distribution of 400 certificates of acceptance and occupancy of transitional shelters to residents left homeless by the fivemonth battle between government troops and local terrorist groups.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, together with national and local officials, witnessed the ceremony held on January 30 at the site of the temporary resettlement in the vilage of Sagonsongan, which is about 4.4 kilometers away from the city center. Marcelino Escalada Jr., General Manager of the National Housing Authority said a total of 1,149 families displaced by last year’s fighting are expected to transfer to the temporary shelters in March this year.

“The government will turn over 10 to 20 housing units every two weeks until we completely deliver the 1,149 units in March,” he said. “Hindi lang basta bahay ang itinayo natin, ito ay isang malaking komunidad at layunin na pagtibayin ito,” Escalada said.

The 11-hectare area will have school buildings, madrasah, houses with kitchen and washroom, wet and dry market, mosque, water supply and a multi-purpose hall. “We assure you that the government will always be there for the people of Marawi,” President Duterte said. “Let’s build a community for our children,” he said.

The construction of the temporary shelters is part of Task Force Bangon Marawi’s recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation program for the city. Jariya Dia, recipient of a housing unit is in mixed emotions as she shared her traumatic experience during the siege.

“Masaya naman po ako dahil sa kabila po ng nangyari sa amin, nawalan man po kami ng tirahan, ngayon ay agad kaming mabibiyaan ng matitirahan,” Jariya said. “Ang problema ko naman po ngayon ay kung paano ko maengganyo ang mga anak ko na lumipat na dito sa bago naming matutuluyan dahil hanggang ngayon po ay takot sila na bumalik dito sa Marawi City,” she added.

Dia and her five children are still staying at an evacuation center in Iligan City since the war started. Her home is among those destroyed by the local terror group in Barangay Marinaut West – one of the villages inside ground zero. “Pero masaya pa din po ako na makitang hindi kami iniwan at madaming tumutulong sa amin,” she said.

Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra told his constituents: “Sa inyong pagbabalik, ang gobyerno ay handang tumulong. Magtulung-tulong po tayo, magkaisa tayo, sabay natin ibangon ang Marawi.”

On the same day, Gov. Hataman, with Mayor Gandamra and Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan, visited the newly inaugurated ‘Siyapen Center’, a community-based drug rehabilitation center. The center is a 70-bed, two-storey facility located at Poblacion. It will also serve as hub for economic activity for Marawi residents especially those in need of short-term employment, or cash-for-work activity.

Aside from the center, the Ayala Foundation has a cash-for-work project worth P3 million for livelihood. Gov. Hataman stressed that Ayala Foundation has been a partner of the regional government especially in two program areas: youth leadership and education. He said the regional government has earmarked funds to support appropriate assistance for the people of Marawi. Speaking to residents, the governor said: “Makakaasa kayo na hindi iiwan NGARMM regional government ang Marawi City.”