Only over 100 homes reoccupied in war-torn Marawi’s most affected areas —task force exec

Only 113 homes have been reoccupied in Marawi City’s most affected areas four years after the siege, Task Force Bangon Marawi field manager Felix Castro said on Monday.

In a radio interview, Castro said many affected residents have not filed applications to rebuild their homes because they do not have money for the repair.

“Sa ngayon, ang naka-occupy na is 113. This is from the Barangays Daguduban, Tolali, and Moncado Kadingilan,” he said.

Castro added the task force welcomed Congress’ approval of the bill seeking to provide compensation to qualified claimants for the damage of residential and commercial properties due to the siege.

According to him, many affected residents are waiting for this assistance to return to their homes.

Affected residents may apply to reoccupy their homes by presenting proof of ownership. Safety engineers will inspect their houses before issuing permits to rebuild them, Castro said.

Castro said so far there are 369 homes that have ongoing reoccupations; 1,113 already obtained permits to rebuild; and 2,200 are still for evaluation.

Only 620 new permanent homes have been occupied by residents who cannot return to their original homes in locations considered as “danger areas”.

Around 3,000 residents are not allowed to go back to these danger areas, according to Castro.

There are over 4,000 residents who are still staying in temporary shelters, he added.

On May 23, 2017, pro-ISIS terrorists belonging to the Maute group led by brothers Omar and Abdullah, with the help of the Abu Sayyaf faction under Isnilon Hapilon, occupied Marawi City.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared the city free on October 17 of the same year. The armed conflict lasted for five months leaving over a thousand deaths and the city in ruins.

Duterte on Saturday vowed to expedite the rehabilitation program for Marawi as the government marked the fourth year of the city’s liberation from the ISIS-inspired Maute group.

Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) chairperson Eduardo Del Rosario earlier reassured that the rehabilitation of public infrastructures in Marawi would be completed within Duterte’s term.

The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday however criticized the slow implementation of the rehabilitation of Marawi, saying only a few more months remain until the term of Duterte ends. —KG, GMA News