ARMM forms task force for Marawi recovery

MARAWI CITY — The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao(ARMM) has formed ‘Internal Task Force Bangon Marawi’ (ITFBM) to ensure proper coordination and implementation of reconstructive programs and projects for this war-torn city.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, through Memorandum Order 444 he signed on July 5, formed the task force pursuant to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s administrative order (AO) 3 creating the Task Force Bangon Marawi for the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of this city, and other affected towns in Lanao del Sur, said lawyer Laisa Alamia, regional executive secretary.

“It is clearly noted in AO 3 that the ARMM will assist the national task force in getting data, so Governor Hataman has immediately formed an internal task force for proper coordination and implementation of all projects and programs in Marawi City,” Alamia said in a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin on Monday.

Alamia co-chairs the ITFBM with the ARMM Executive Director for Planning and Development, and all the heads of 26 ARMM regional line agencies, bureaus, and offices as members, the statement said.

The TFFBM membership is clustered into four subcommittees on housing and reconstruction; education, health, and social welfare; business and livelihood; and peace and order, the ARMM’s Bureau of Public Information (BPI) said.

“The internal task force will help facilitate the immediate repair, rehabilitation and reconstruction of public schools, national roads, bridges, buildings, temporary or permanent shelter, and restoration of water, electricity, and other utilities,” the BPI said.

It will be responsible for carrying out measures on the provision of education, sanitation, and health facilities, medical supplies, food, potable water and other basic necessities, the information bureau said.

Hataman has mandated the ITFBM to oversee the implementation of an active campaign for the swift revival of businesses and livelihood projects in this city, and be accountable for the restoration and maintenance of peace and order and the continuity of public services here, the BPI added.

But this early, minor incidents have hampered the recovery efforts here.

Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Abdullah Dumama, Jr., in a telephone interview, bared that gunshots continue to be heard and a stray bullet was even found on the grounds of the Provincial Capitol Monday.

“We could hear the gunshots, and we heard about the stray bullet,” Dumama said.

Dumama was one of the incident commanders deployed to the area to handle the health needs of the evacuees as well as the logistics needed by medical responders in the area.

There, too, was a fire that broke out a few meters from the Amai Pakpak Hospital, which has been one of the major centers of health services in the city since the crisis occurred. “Good thing it rained,” Dumama said. There were also firetrucks that responded to the fire.