MANILA -- Taiwan Representative Gary Song-Huann Lin confirmed that the construction of 400 transitional housing units for victims of Marawi conflict will start in the first half of 2018.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines will earmark a total of PHP600-million worth of assistance to Marawi City, divided into two parts.
Some PHP60 million will be funding the construction of 400 transitional housing units and PHP540 million for 10,480 metric tons of donated rice. According to Lin, each of the housing unit's component cost is around USD2,500, excluding the shipping and construction.
He mentioned that Taiwan will shoulder both transport and construction costs, and assured that locals from Marawi will be hired to help generate jobs.
"The construction will be started this first half of 2018, we are currently looking for a site," he said.
For the rice donation, distribution is segmented into three phases: 1,680 metric tons in 2017, at least 4,400 metric tons for 2018 and another 4,400 metric tons for 2019.
On the sidelines of the 2nd Peace Diplomacy Convention on Monday, Lin told the Philippine News Agency that the first batch of rice donation totalling to 1,680 metric tons has already reached Mindanao.
"My government is partnering with Tzu Chi Foundation in the Philippines for its distribution," he said. Given the upcoming Lunar New Year Taiwanese will celebrate, Lin said distribution may start after the occasion.
"I may say from March some time. In due course when Tzu Chi is ready, we are going to distribute," he said. (PNA)
