2nd PUBLIC HEARING OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MARAWI
February 10-12, 2020
MSU MARAWI CITY – The Special Committee on Marawi holds a 2nd Public hearing intended for the 2017 Marawi Siege IDPs and Rehabilitation to inquire and clarify the long-raised issues on the delay in the implementation of Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan.
During the Public Hearing, the IDPs demanded their unconditional right to return home as well as the passage of the Compensation bill pending in Congress.
Almost three (3) years passed and there has been no progress on the rehabilitation of ground zero in Marawi City Most Affected Area (MAA) this led to the unrest of many affected residents who demanded that they be allowed to return home immediately.
On the part of the TFBM led by Secretary Del Rosario the delay was due to bureaucratic challenges in downloading and approval of funds as well as implementation challenges. When pressed on why there has been so much delay in the release and implementation of public infrastructure and utilities like roads, electricity, and lighting, Secretary Del Rosario emphasized that there at first was really recovery then debris and bomb clearing which took them more than a year. He said that they now have a new timeline for the return which is in December 2021.
Representatives from the Dead and Missing persons were also present to present their issues on why up to now there has been no action on their demands like proper identification of burial sites among others.
On the 2nd day, the invited resource persons coming from the LGU Marawi, RLA, NHA, TFBM, PLGU-LDS, MSU, and PNP were present to face and answer the queries of the Parliament Members with regards to their updates of the previous, current, and future programs and activities. MP Abdullah Macapaar first asked to allow the residents of MAA to go back and consider their legal documents even if their papers are incomplete due to the circumstances of the Siege. MP Abdullah Macapaar asked the provincial government to help the people of Marawi since PLGU knew the people’s concerns and demand.
MP Hamid Barra inquired if the concern agencies offered programs in preventing the recruitment of the extremist after the Maute-Inspired group had penetrated. He also reiterates the issue concerning the provision of expired goods coming from other agencies. TFBM Asec. Castro answered that the Ulama sector is part of the TFBM team. With regard to the complaints, we address it directly and ask the complainants to write a letter addressing their complaints to TFBM. PLGU stated that they have Technical Working Group to prevent violent extremism.
MP Maisara requested from Secretary Del Rosario to provide the BTA-BARMM status of implementation on Marawi Rehabilitation as this concerns the Bangsamoro Government’s power to supplemental assistance as stated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
On the third day, the highlights of the discussions were the accomplishments, current and future programs of TESDA, Office of the Civil Defense, LASURECO, LWUA, DENR, MCWD, OCD, Marawi Schools Division, and TFBM-DPWH. It was during the third day that problems on electricity, water, and roads were revealed as the main cause of the delay in the return of the MAA IDPs. LASURECO and LWUA were both present to answer the BTA’s questions, however, NHA who was uncharged with roads were not around to explain the inordinate delay in implementation.
BTA will schedule 3rd round of public hearing in March 2020.
