MANILA – The progressive development in the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City can be attributed to partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs).
Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) said it has collaborations with the Lanao del Sur People’s Council (LDSPC), a group of various CSOs based in Lanao del Sur.
The CSOs are the third-party monitoring partners of the government pushing for recovery programs in the site of the infamous 2017 siege, TFBM chairperson and housing czar Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said.
Faduman Paporo, one of the CSO leaders, said in a statement on Saturday there is a huge improvement in the infrastructure and recovery projects.
“We would like to reaffirm that the rehabilitation is doing well. Congratulations to the local government unit of Marawi and the TFBM,” Paporo said.
The five-month Marawi battle between the military and forces allied with the Islamic State started on May 23, 2017.
Aslani Montilla of the Development Assistance Team also commended the TFBM and the Marawi LGU for sustaining the rehabilitation of the city and the recovery of its residents, particularly those living in the 24 most devastated villages.
The CSOs said projects in the most affected areas include the Grand Mosque, White Mosque, Masjid Marinaut, Masjid Disomangcop, mall-like Grand Padian Market, School of Living Tradition, Marawi Museum, Peace Memorial, integrated school and village complexes.
Del Rosario thanked the CSO for helping the government regularly conduct an ocular inspection of the ongoing projects.
“Marawi’s status of rehabilitation today would not be possible without the concerted efforts of both the government and the private sector, including our CSOs. I personally commend you for the honest and constructive scrutiny to ensure the best delivery of our services in bringing back the city’s vibrancy. Together with our Maranaw brothers and sisters, this is the win we all celebrate,” del Rosario told the LDSPC in a speech on Friday when he attended some of the activities that are part of the Marawi Week of Peace celebrations
The TFBM was created by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 28, 2017 under Administrative Order No. 3 to ensure collaboration and convergence among national agencies and local government units and help displaced families recover.
Other activities in the Week of Peace were assistance for persons with special needs, mental health and psychosocial support activities, mural painting of school building walls, and distribution of rice to internally displaced persons and occupants of temporary shelters. (PNA)