Robredo vows to speed up Marawi rehab, fund compensation for war-affected residents

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur — Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday assured residents here that she will speed up the war-torn city's rehabilitation if she becomes President.

"Ngayon po nasa ilalim pa tayo ng Marawi rehabilitation. Sisiguraduhin ko na mapapabilis 'yung rehabilitation para makabalik na kayo sa mga bahay ninyo," Robredo told residents during a campaign stop here.

(Now, Marawi is still under rehabilitation. I vow to expedite the rehabilitation so that you can all return to your homes.)

For five months in 2017, Marawi was the place of fierce gunbattles between government troops and members of the Maute terrorist group that laid siege to the city. Years later, life in the city has yet to return to normal, especially in the areas most affected by the conflict.

In the same speech, Robredo also vowed to immediately allot funds for the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation bill once it becomes a law.

"Ang aking pong pangako sa inyo, sisiguraduhin natin, pag ako po naging pangulo, na mabigyan kaagad ng pondo itong compensation bill kasi alam ko na napakarami sa inyong naghihintay na nito dahil ang dami 'yung tiniis niyo ng ilang taon pagkatapos ng Marawi siege," she said.

(I promise you that if I become president, I will ensure that this compensation bill will be immediately funded because I know a lot of yoh are waiting for this.)

Robredo, in all her three stops in Lanao del Sur, mentioned that she has been in the province at least 10 times in the last four years, and that it has helped her office bring and turn over projects responsive to the needs of the people.

"Bakit po mahalaga 'yun? Mahalaga 'yun dahil pag ang pangulo 'yung nagbibisita, nabibigyan ng karampatang atensyon 'yung mga bayan na nangangailangan ng tulong," she said.

(Why is it important for public officials to check on communities? Because by doing so, the communities' needs will receive proper attention and will be addressed.) 

For Robredo, a public official who does ground work long before the elections is the one who is committed to serve the people.

"Lahat po kaming mga kandidato mangangako. Pero uulitin ko lang, huwag na huwag po tayo madaliang sumunod sa mga pangako. Hingian natin sila ng resibo," she urged the audience, reminding them the number of times she was in the city in the past.

(We candidates would make promises, but I'll say again, let us not be fooled by these promises. Let us ask for proof.)

"Sabi ko nga, parang pangalawang bahay ko na 'yung Marawi [Marawi City is like my second home]," Robredo added. —KBK, GMA News