/ AFP / Noel Celis/
(Eagle News) — The government is now gearing up for the looming return of evacuees to Marawi, as government troops close in on local terrorists who have wrought havoc in the city.
In a briefing in Malacanang on Thursday, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said President Rodrigo Duterte was “setting aside” P20 billion for the “reconstruction” of Marawi, where government troops are close to defeating members of the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups that have pledged allegiance to the international terrorist group Islamic State.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the P10 billion would come from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, while the rest could come from the same agency.
“President Duterte has instructed the DSWD to help all,” Taguiwalo said.
According to the Social Welfare secretary, her agency started the procurement of tents three weeks ago for the around 69,000 families who are expected to return soon to Marawi.
While there was a recent failure in the bidding process for the tents, Taguiwalo said the agency could “adopt” the “appropriate procurement system” since this was an “emergency situation.”
Each “family-sized” tent, she said, can accommodate around eight people, and has windows.
“So while the physical construction is ongoing, (the evacuees) have somewhere to stay,” she said.
She said the agency has also distributed P1000 to evacuees four days ago, upon the request from representatives from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Another P4000 per family, she said, has also been budgeted.
“Once they are allowed to go back to Marawi (it will be given to them), to help them start anew,” she said.
She said “Ramadan packs” which contain “cocktails, pansit,” among others, will also be distributed starting Monday.
Psychosocial welfare
“We have volunteers from all sectors of society, including professionals (to help with respect to the psychosocial welfare of the evacuees),” she said.
She said this cluster was headed by the Department of Health.
The fourth cluster, which pertains to the livelihood of the evacuees, she said, was headed by the National Economic Development Authority.
“We are preparing for that also,” she said.
According to Abella, so far, the local terrorists have killed 26 civilians in Marawi, while more than 1000 were rescued by the government.
More than 200–or 276 to be exact–terrorists have been killed, while government casualties amounted to 67, he said.
The military said the troops were closing in on the local terrorists, who attempted to carve out a province for ISIS.
The military said Isnilon Hapilon, an Abu Sayyaf leader, is believed to be in Marawi.