500 to 600 transitional shelters for displaced Marawians in December

MANILA, November 11 -- The government is eyeing to provide at least 500 transitional housing units for displaced residents in Marawi City before the end of December, Task Force Bangon Marawi head Eduardo del Rosario said Friday, November 10.

“We are committing to provide 500 for a minimum housing units not later than December 20,” said Del Rosario during the Bangon Marawi press briefing in Malacanang.

He said the number could even reach 600 depending on the weather condition in the war-torn Islamic city.

“Our contractors start working as early as six in the morning so that they can maximize the time that there is no rain,” he said.

Del Rosario, who is also the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), said the Task Force is targeting to build 1,175 temporary housing units in Barangay Sagonsongan that will decongest 69 evacuation centers.

He said the temporary shelters will have electricity and water as well as concrete roads that will lead to the provincial capital.

With regard to permanent housing, Del Rosario said there is a total requirement of 2,747 housing units, which will be built on a 33-hectare site.

He announced that San Miguel Foundation led by tycoon Ramon Ang pledged to build 5,000 permanent housing units.

“The requirement is only 2,747 units as of now, but San Miguel Foundation is willing to provide even 5,000 housing units. So we inspected the place yesterday and the instruction of the SMC President Ramon Ang for his people to immediately start the construction,” he said.

Del Rosario, meanwhile, said that the post conflict needs assessment (PCNA) has been suspended because of the presence of stragglers in the main battle area.

He noted that PCNA must be completed first in order for them to come up with the Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP) of Marawi.

“We have completed 49 barangays and there are still 47 barangays remaining,” he said adding that they hoped to resume the PCNA by early December.

Del Rosario said the CRRP will be undertaken by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in coordination with other concerned agencies, the local government units, non-government organizations and civil society organizations.

“The focus of early interventions are the following: we will focus on the delivery of food, water, electricity, housing, livelihood, health services and hospital facilities that were destroyed, the classrooms, place of worship, wet and dry market and road networks,” he said.

Del Rosario likewise revealed the government’s plan to transform the Lake Lanao area into a world-class tourism destination.

“’Yan look at the Agus River. ‘Yung mga nakapunta na sa inyo sa abroad, makita niyo lahat ng metropolis mayroon silang river and they are using it for a boat ride to attract tourists. Mayroong night cruise, mayroong day cruise,” he said as he showed a video to the media.

“So if we can transform that after the rehabilitation para Marawi City will become a tourist place in Mindanao, I think they can rise faster,” he added. PND