Solon sees Marawi as infra program model

Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara yesterday said the bombed city of Marawi should serve as the Duterte government’s showcase of its promised infrastructure boom under its “Build, Build, Build” program.

Angara, chair of the Senate committee on local government and part of the Senate delegation which conducted consultative hearings on the proposed Bangsamoro basic law (BBL) in Cotabato and Marawi City last week, said the government should let Marawi “be the center of reconstruction” in the country.

The senator was among those who visited and inspected the place last week along with five other senators, namely, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Paolo (Bam) Aquino IV, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Joseph Victor (JV) Ejercito, and Cynthia Villar.

“From center of fighting, let Marawi be the center of reconstruction in the country,” Angara said.

“If we’re building a subway in Manila, or a long bridge in Cebu, let us also repair the roads and bridges in Marawi, which will cost less,” Angara said.

The lawmaker warned Marawi would be harmed again if it will be left out or left behind the infrastructure boom, of which P1trillion in public spending, will be spent this year.

Based on latest estimates, the fighting has left 1,100 dead and over 350,000 displaced.

“Residential areas have been totaled, as the city received the greatest brunt of shelling since Manila in the end of World War II,” the senator said.

Angara earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 592 directing the special committee on Marawi City rehabilitation to zero in on formulating policies to improve the welfare of internally displaced persons.