IN a dedicated effort to accelerate the rehabilitation of this city, Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, chairperson of the House Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation, led an ocular site visit and public consultation in Marawi City where he emphasized the earnest desire of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez to complete the rehabilitation as soon as possible.
During the site visit, several critical areas in Marawi were inspected, including temporary and permanent shelters, the site of the proposed Bulk Water System, the ruins in the Most Affected Area, Marawi’s Golden Mosque and Marawi City’s Rizal Park and Freedom Park.
This gave inspectors a sense of the gravity of the situation faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the urgent need for comprehensive rehabilitation efforts.
Immediate concerns were addressed at the public hearing, which was attended by officials of the National Housing Authority (NHA). They were tasked to provide a detailed report on the sufficiency of both temporary and permanent housing for IDPs.
Adiong, alongside fellow “Young Guns” members Assistant Minority Leader 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez and House Committee on Mindanao Affairs chairman Misamis Oriental 2nd District Rep. Yevgeny Vicente Emano, quizzed the new acting general manager of LASURECO regarding issues that needed to be solved to restore power to Marawi City.
It was noted that the House of Representatives had recently passed a bill to alleviate some of the cooperative’s financial burdens.
Regarding water supply, the discussions centered on the location of the bulk water system within an Army encampment.
Adiong, Emano and Gov. Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. suggested close coordination with the Department of National Defense to find a long-term solution.
“These issues regarding basic services for the residents of Marawi City are critical,” said Adiong, who is also an assistant majority leader in the House of Representatives.
“The crowning achievement of rehabilitation will be the reintegration of the IDPs back into even the Most Affected Areas. None of this is possible without the restoration of basic services, especially housing, electricity, and water,” he said.
Inspired by the results of the dialogue, Deputy Majority Leader Margarita “Migs” Nograles and Bataan Lone District Rep. Geraldine Roman pledged support for livelihood and entrepreneurship programs for the women IDPs of Marawi City.
Throughout the public hearing, Adiong highlighted that President Marcos Jr. and Romualdez have independently given their marching orders for the swift and total rehabilitation of Marawi City.
He said the public consultation and site visits are essential steps in ensuring that the needs of the IDPs are met and that Marawi City is restored to its former glory.
“I am also happy to see the concern and active participation of my House colleagues in the rehabilitation of Marawi. This truly is unity, compassion, and cooperation in its most meaningful form. The people of Marawi will forever be grateful,” Adiong said.
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