P50 B needed for Marawi rehab — Lorenzana

At least P50 billion will be needed to rehabilitate Marawi City, which will take three years to complete, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday.

Appearing at the hearing of the Senate special committee on Marawi City rehabilitation, Lorenzana, who is also chairman of the Task Force Bangon Marawi, said the amount would cover the repair and construction of both private and government infrastructure.

He said he would ask for a supplemental budget to start rehabilitation work.

Lorenzana said P20 billion would be enough for this year while the balance would be included in the national budget for next year.

He said he expects the armed conflict to end within the month, noting that the Maute group has only one remaining leader – Isnilon Hapilon – and only a few militants are holed up in Marawi.

US donates $14.3 M

Meanwhile, the US government has committed $14.3 million or about P730 million in emergency relief and recovery assistance for communities affected by the conflict in Marawi City and its surrounding areas.

“The United States is deeply committed to this relationship and remains ready to support our friend and ally as we face the challenges and opportunities,” US Ambassador Sung Kim said yesterday.

Kim said P153 million would be coursed through the US Agency for International Development to fund critical relief supplies such as safe drinking water, hygiene kits, kitchen sets and shelter materials for evacuation centers as well as programs to protect displaced women and children.

The remaining P577 million will be earmarked to support recovery, stabilization and rehabilitation of Marawi and nearby areas.