Marawi gov’t expects reconstruction ‘master plan’ for damaged houses, properties

Lanao del Sur First District Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong on Wednesday said the local government is waiting on the official master plan on the reconstruction of houses and properties for the affected families in Marawi, as short-term emergency response efforts continue in the war-torn city.

"Inaantay lang natin kung kelan matatapos 'yung ia-adopt na official na master plan doon sa reconstruction para naman doon sa mga nasirang properties d'yan sa most affected areas," Adiong said in an Unang Balita interview.

As part of the rehabilitation priorities in Marawi City, Adiong said the government started to provide last year temporary shelters and facilities for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in evacuation centers, while livelihood, medical assistance and relief goods are continuously being delivered.

The assemblyman said the construction of temporary shelters is being rushed to address the worsening condition of Marawi residents currently residing in evacuation centers such gymnasiums and schools.

"Sa ngayon pinapa-expedite, talagang dino-double time 'yung dapat ma-construct 'yung mga temporary shelter dahil isa 'yun sa paraan para mawala sila doon sa mga makeshift na tent na sinasabi natin, hindi naman talaga conducive and in fact, nung start pa nu'ng siege hindi naman talaga dapat sila diyan tumira ng more than a year 'yang mga evac centers dahil aside from hindi siya conducive for a normal  living, hindi rin sila pagagamitin ng mga facilities na ito ng mga LGUs kung saan sila naroon kasi usually nandiyan sila sa mga gymnasium, nandoon sila sa mga eskuwelahan kung saan saan."

Adiong said the government is currently searching for land that will serve as the permanent shelter of the affected residents. "Ang hinahanap kasi ngayon 'yung mga permanent shelter na paglalagyan ng ating mga evacuee so sa ngayon, ang NHA naghahanap pa sila ng lupa."

He said the National Housing Authority needs more than a hundred hectares of land, but the government is currently challenged in its search as it has to consider the legal grounds.

"Sa ngayon on going pa rin 'yung process ng pag-acquire ng legal grounds para bumili at saka maghahanap po ng mga seller ng mga lupa na 'yan kasi ang nangyari po d'yan sa Marawi medyo challenging po 'yung paghahanap talaga ng lupa, kung may titulo ang lupa at saka kung meron pong lot area na suitable for putting up the facility na permanent shelter," Adiong said. — Jamil Santos/MDM, GMA News