To demonstrate solidarity with the government’s bid to rebuild Marawi City, the House of Representatives should be expected to support measures that would seek to finance the swift rehabilitation of the war-torn city.
Quezon City Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo made this assurance as he proposed the establishment of a rehabilitation fund and program for the immediate and long-term rehabilitation of Marawi City.
He aired confidence that congressmen will act immediately on a bill to finance the program, especially if President Duterte certifies the bill an urgent administration measure.
“Even as fighting between government forces and rebel-terrorist groups continue to rage in Marawi City, government should already consider drawing up a rehabilitation program and seeking Congressional approval for a special rehabilitation fund,” Castelo said.
Castelo, chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, called on Duterte to form a team that will be tasked to assess the damage to Marawi’s public infrastructure.
The team, Castelo said, should also be ready to determine the initial budgetary requirement for the rebuilding process, saying that assistance to owners of private residences and establishments should be included in the program.
The team may be composed of key officials from the Office of the President, all relevant departments, Mindanao Development Authority, and the city and provincial governments of Marawi and Lanao del Sur, Castelo said.
(Ben R. Rosario)
