MARAWI CITY – Over 13,000 people displaced by the Marawi siege stand to benefit from a public market to be constructed by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Bubong town in Lanao del Sur province.
The groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for the wet and dry market was led by ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, along with other officials. The public market, worth P30 million, will sit on a 1.5-hectare land that will house 100 stalls. The market is expected to be completed in 240 days.
Gov. Hataman said the construction of the public market will open additional economic activities in the town and in the entire first district of Lanao del Sur since these areas have no formal marketplace. “It will mainly cater to displaced residents of Marawi City who have sought refuge in the town,” Gov. Hataman added.
About 2,722 families, or more than 13,000 individuals, have sought refuge in Marawi City’s adjacent town of Bubong since fighting in the Islamic city started in May 2017.
Gov. Hataman has attended numerous consultation dialogues with the displaced individuals to hear grievances from the grassroots. The consultations, Gov. Hataman said, will help in making a “well-informed decision” for the projects and assistance that will facilitate in uplifting the lives of displaced Marawi residents.
The IDP-organized Sowara O Miamagoyag, representing more than 12,000 households which evacuated to towns of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Oriental, and to the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, has been active in promoting the welfare of its members.
Sittie Joharah Pacalindo-Mamacotao, 27, a leader of the group from Brgy. Marinaut, Marawi City, said displaced residents should be supported on their immediate needs of recovery to enable dignified survival. “We want to become their representatives to amplify their voice,” Mamacotao said.
The group also recommended reparation and compensation for property damage; livelihood; recovery and access to employment; shelter; participatory, transparent and accountable planning of Marawi rehabilitation, and land dispute resolutions.
“Naniniwala ako na makakabangon ang mga Maranaw kapag natulungan sila ng maayos,” Gov. Hataman told the IDP leaders. The regional government has P150 million in un-programmed funds reserved for projects and programs that would help in rebuilding Marawi City.
The regional government and the provincial government of Lanao del Sur will jointly build an integrated public market and rehabilitate the terminal at the Greater Marawi Area in Marawi City this year costing P90 million.
The national government-led Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) has allocated a P10-billion fund for the rehabilitation of Marawi City. The fund can be accessed by government offices for any project through proposals.
The ARMM government has sent a proposal to the TFBM for the construction of 500 permanent houses with complete facilities such as kitchen, solar panel for electricity, and water sources. (Bureau of Public Information)
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