Marawi rehab program wins support

Shown in photo are Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra, Butch Meily and Veron Gabaldon, PDRF, Brother Armin Luistro and Rey Laguda, PBSP, Neda Undersecretary Navarro, DTI Undersecretary Zeny Maglaya, Adel Tamano of Udenna, Maribeth Marasigan of Aboitiz, Henry Howard of the US Philippine Society, Aida Natori Chinloy of FF Cruz, Ramon Isberto of PLDT Smart, and Titon Mitra of UNDP, along with representatives of the various companies.

Companies from around the country pledged their support for the rehabilitation of Marawi during a recent summit sponsored by a newly formed consortium, United for Marawi, made up of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the Makati Business Club, UNDP and CODE-NGO.

The private group aligned itself with the current thrust of the government as outlined by HUDCC Secretary and head of Task Force Bangon Marawi Eduardo del Rosario and synthesized by Neda Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro.

Both Maynilad Water and Manila Water have also met with Marawi and Lanao del Sur government water officials to discuss ways to rebuild the city’s water system.

In a second meeting, the Marawi and Lanao del Sur officials led by Vice Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. discussed with PDRF and PBSP chair Manuel V. Pangilinan and MPIC executives the possibility of rehabilitating the city’s water and power systems.

According to the Lanao officials, Ayala Foundation has already said it would put up a new hospital in the city.

There are also discussions with MPIC on renovating the city’s existing, government-owned hospital, Amai Pakpak Medical Center.

“The story of Marawi is one of destruction set against the fortitude and perseverance of its suffering, displaced residents; and the heroism and bravery of our soldiers. But it is a story which needs a conclusion; to allow revival to take hold. It will take time but the Philippine private sector, working with the national and local government, will play a major role in the eventual rebirth and rehabilitation of the city,” said Pangilinan.

“What happened to my city is devastating, not only in terms of physical infrastructure, economic and livelihood operations but as well as the … damaged social fabric of society. However, these will not prevent us from hurdling any obstacles to bring Marawi back in a better state than it was before with the help of all the sectors of the society,” said Marawi Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra.

“With the help of the private sector, the ordeal of our IDPs shall be minimized. Government needs their intervention,” added Governor Bedjoria Soraya Alonto Adiong.

Other companies that have pledged their support include: Udenna Corp, Ayala Foundation, PLDT/Smart, Aboitiz Group, Jollibee Foods Corp, Pepsi Cola Philippines, FF Cruz, Meralco, Coca Cola, World Vision, Oxfam, Cebuana Lhuillier, San Miguel Foundation, SM Foundation and LBC Foundation.

The Lanao del Sur government has asked PDRF for technical assistance in setting up its own Emergency Operations Center (EOC) modeled after PDRF’s EOC in Makati.

“Business has a role to play in the revival of economic activity in Marawi and Lanao del Sur. It will not be easy. It will take years but we owe it to this country to bring Marawi back, and make peace work,” said PDRF president Butch Meily.

“We must keep in mind that recovery is a key element in building peace,” added PBSP president Rey Laguda.