800 Temporary Shelters Turned Over to Families Affected by Marawi Siege

New year, new home. For almost seven months, families in Marawi City have been staying in evacuation centers since the siege begun. Now, they are able to transfer to their temporary shelters.

On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte led the turnover ceremony of 500 temporary shelters in Barangay Sagongsongan, Marawi City.

250 units are ready to be occupied before 2017 ends according the National Housing Authority (NHA). Another 250 units will be ready on January 7, 2018.

“The houses are furnished with electricity and water line. However, electricity needs to be connected to the main line as well as the water supply needs to be connected to the main line that’s why we’re delaying the actual occupancy of the houses,” said Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman Eduardo del Rosario.

According to Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra, priority will be given to families who are staying in evacuation centers and those who are renting outside the city.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) also led the turnover of another 300 temporary shelters in Matungao, Lanao del Norte on Wednesday.

A total of 1,170 temporary shelters is the government’s target by February 2018.

But aside from temporary shelters, various government agencies also provided means of livelihood for the affected residents of the Marawi siege. The Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Social Welfare and Development gave them toolkits, pre-employment assistance fund, as well as equipment for farming and fishing.

“We have created a special program which will give financing interest-free up to 100,000 for eligible borrowers who have already put up their business before and we will ask for certain documents showing that they just need to start again,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

As another form of assistance, the government will continue providing food stubs to the residents and even plans to subsidize their electric bills for the next six months. Meanwhile, the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi city already started with the help of government forces that are still stationed in the city.

via UNTV / Rosalie Coz