Additional P20-B budget sought to rebuild Marawi

The only Islamic city in the Philippines hit by airstrikes and
mortars. FB Photo

By MAS YAHYA
Iligan City, Philippines
June 9, 2017

1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list representative Salvador Belaro, Jr. filed House Bill No. 5883 which seeks for an additional P20 billion to supplement the General Appropriations Act of 2017 for the purpose of "rebuilding and transformation" of strife-torn Marawi City, media reported Monday.

House Bill No. 5883 filed by 1-Ang Edukasyon party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro, Jr. seeks to rebuild Marawi into a “city of peace, friendship, and progress.”

Meanwhile, concerned Maranaos have expressed appreciation of Congressman Belaro's initiative but lamented that none of their own lawmakers has taken the cudgel to do the same.

A traditional leader who preferred to remain unidentified said, "it seems embarrassing that a non-Muslim lawmaker has taken the cudgel of rebuilding Marawi while our own Maranao lawmakers remain silent in Congress."

"Marawi City has suffered intense and extensive damage to its infrastructure, basic services, economy, and education facilities because of the rebellion of various armed groups which invaded the city,” GMA News Online quoted Belaro as saying.

"From the ashes and rubble of the armed conflict in Marawi City, a new city of peace and development can rise for the harmonious co-existence of Muslims, Christians, and Indigenous Peoples," he added.

Belaro said the amount of P20 billion will be divided into additional budgets for the Calamity Fund (P11 billion), Quick Response Fund of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (P3 billion), appropriations for the Mindanao State University (P2 billion), the Commission on Higher Education (P2 billion), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (P2 billion).

Belaro said the funds will be used for the devastation caused by ongoing armed conflict between the government and the Maute terrorist group.

He also filed House Resolution 1160 urging the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to include in its proposed 2018 budget an amount of P30 billion for the same purpose.