Lawmakers visit Marawi to assess rehab works

MARAWI CITY -- A delegation of lawmakers from the Lower House visited this city Monday to inspect the 250-hectare "most affected area" (MAA) here.

The lawmakers, who are members of the Subcommittee on Marawi Rehabilitation and Reconstruction under the House Committee on Disaster Management, also inspected the 39-hectare site in Brgy. Kilala where some 2,000 units of permanent housing--to be funded by San Miguel Foundation--will be built.

"We want the people of Marawi to feel that the government is fulfilling its duty and its promises. Consider this as a "friendly tap on the shoulder." This is part of our oversight functions," said Bataan first district Rep. Geraldine Roman.

Roman said the lawmakers also wanted to see if the different government agencies belonging to Task Force Bangon Marawi (TBFM)--the government's main arm for this city's rehabilitation--are delivering their promises.

Roman said their committee managed to assist the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the TFBM to fast-track the purchase of the land in Barangay Kilala--owned by Alonto family--to immediately start the construction of permanent houses for the Marawi's internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The committee is now also working with NHA and TFBM to address other problems on the ongoing debris management inside the MAA, the lawmaker said.

Antipolo City first district Rep. Chiqui Roa-Puno, who is part of the delegation, noted that aside from the "physical rehabilitation" the government is also is also doing psychosocial interventions to help the affected residents cope with the devastation of their homes, their livelihood, and essentially their lives.

The lawmakers also visited the Bahay ng Pagbabago transitory site in Brgy. Sagonsongan where hundreds of displaced families are temporarily living.

"We also want to ask the residents of Marawi about their situation, especially the children. We will have our own assessment to see how things are and we will make sure that they will not be neglected," Roa-Puno assured.

On Wednesday, the lawmakers are scheduled to meet with local officials before proceeding into a session to sum-up their findings.

During the House Committee on Disaster Management's hearing last month, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo suggested tackling the Marawi response as the first agenda, making it clear that she wanted the body to focus on its function to assess the ongoing rehabilitation. (PNA)