4 presidential aspirants present plans for Marawi rehab

Four presidential aspirants on Saturday presented their plans to expedite the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City.

Marawi has been undergoing rehabilitation since the end of the gun battle between government forces and the ISIS-inspired Maute Group, which left the city severely damaged in 2017.

During the Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews, Senator Manny Pacquiao promised to continue his housing projects.

"Ito po ay hindi po ito pangako, kung hindi ipagpatuloy ko 'yong mga ginagawa ko na pamimigay ng sariling tahanan at tutulungan sila ng ating gobyerno para gawin ang kanilang mga tahanan para makabalik na sila doon sa kanilang lugar kung saan nasira dahil doon sa kaguluhan sa Mindanao," he said.

(It is a commitment, not a promise, to continue housing distribution. They will be assisted by the government in rebuilding their homes so that they can return to their communities, which were affected by the armed conflict in Mindanao.)

He also said housing projects would be implemented nationwide.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the rehabilitation program should be focused and sustained.

“Katulad din ng dapat ginawa sa Yolanda, katulad din ng dapat gagawin sa Odette, kapag mayroong kalamidad, dapat ang prayoridad ng gobyerno nakatutok at tsaka sustained,” he said.

(If a calamity occurs, the government's priority should be targeted and sustained, as it was in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda and should be in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette.)

He then slammed those who visit ravaged areas for publicity purposes, reiterating his stand against politics of self-interest. 

“Ang kalamidad kapag uso lamang tsaka lamang nagkakagulo doon, kapag lumipas na ang isang taon, anim na buwan nakalaimutan na ang kalamidad, lahat nakalimot na rin kung papaano gagampanan ang dapat tugunan na pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan. So dapat talaga sustained," Lacson said. 

(Everyone wants to help every time there is a calamity, but after a year or even after six months, everyone has already forgotten those who are affected. So it should be sustained.)

Vice President Leni Robredo mentioned her office's projects in Marawi, including the Angat Buhay Village.

"Before the pandemic nandoon ako on a very regular basis. Even during the pandemic I have been there a few times already, 'yong mga projects namin on going pa rin until now and magpapatuloy 'yon even after my term as vice president," she said.

(Before the pandemic, I was there on a very regular basis. I have been there a few times already during the pandemic. Our projects are ongoing, and they will continue even after my term as vice president.)

Marawi's rehabilitation will be completed by December 2022, according to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

Moreno also promised to provide land and housing for the affected residents. 

“Nagtatayo ng mga pabahay ibinibigay sa tao para magkaroon ng kapanatagan.  And that the same rule will be applied to Marawi. By December of 2022 tapos na 'yon, 100% na 'yon,” he said.

(We will build houses and provide land for the people. And that same rule will be applied to Marawi. By December 2022, it will be 100% complete.) — VBL, GMA News