Marawi leader donates land for victims in war-torn city

MARAWI CITY – A village leader is donating a piece of land she owns for victims of the recent crisis in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province.

During the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) dialogue and consultation held here on November 22, Barangay Chairperson Cairon Dimatingcal, of Lumbac Madaya, said the donation covers her 1.5-hectare land located at Barangay Malimono. “Willing po ako ibigay ang lupa ko sa Barangay Malimono para sa mga mas nangangailangan na kababayan ko. Sa panahon ngayon, hindi ko na po iisipin yung ari-arian ko, mas iniisip ko po ngayon yung mga kababayan kong mas nangangailangan,” she said.

Lumbac Madaya is a recipient of regional governor Mujiv Hataman’s flagship program dubbed Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance and Synergy (ARMM-HELPS). The program was created for a more coordinated and focused intervention at the local level to achieve maximum impact of services.

“Nung May 25 po sana ang turnover ceremony sa aming barangay ng HELPS projects, kaso dahil nga sa Marawi siege, hindi na natuloy,” Dimantingcal said. Notwithstanding the failed turnover, she still thanked Gov. Hataman and the regional government.

“Hindi man po namin nagamit ang mga ARMM-HELPS projects na binigay mo sa amin, maraming salamat pa din,” she added. “Pero sana patuloy nyo pa ring bigyan ng tulong ang mga taga Marawi, ‘wag nyo po kaming pabayaan.”

Lumbac Madaya is one of the barangays most affected by the five-month-long clash between government troops and members of a local terrorist group. Among the ARMM-HELPS projects that were supposed to be turned over to the community are: barangay hall, women's center, and learning center.

“Naniniwala ako na mas mabilis ang pagbangon ng Marawi kapag magkakaisa tayo,” Gov. Hataman said. The regional government, he added, will provide P450 million this year for the rehabilitation of Marawi and an additional P930 million next year.

Eduardo del Rosario, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council chairperson and head of TFBM, updated local and regional leaders on rehabilitation and recovery plans during the dialogue. He said the task force has initially deployed teams to 24 barangays that were severely affected by the crisis to assess the extent of damage in those areas. It will also deploy another team to conduct a damage assessment in 47 remaining barangays on November 27.

After the consultation, government officials and multi-sectoral representatives signed a pledge of commitment and support for unity and progress. The leaders will uphold sincerity and dedication in helping rebuild the homes, lives, and dreams of the people of Marawi and neighboring communities affected by the armed conflict.

The ARMM officials also visited on November 22 the city’s ‘ground zero’ to assess the extent of damage caused by the war. It was the first time for regional officials to enter the main battle area after the city has been declared “liberated from terrorists’ influence.”

Gov. Hataman said he will immediately convene a meeting of regional officials to further discuss rehabilitation efforts in Marawi after it was occupied by ISIS militants for 5 months until their defeat in October. (Bureau of Public Information)

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