MANILA, Philippines — A party-list lawmaker on Tuesday sought an additional budget of P10 billion to help Marawi City get back on its feet.
The ongoing clashes between government forces and the Maute Group have caused devastation in the Lanao del Sur capital since President Rodrigo Duterte declared an all-out war against the Islamist militants and proclaimed martial law in Mindanao last May 23.
Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque said that under House Bill No. 5874, the proposed supplemental budget would be earmarked for Marawi to “expedite its recovery from the ruins” help city residents “return to ordinary civilian life.”
The proposed additional budget would augment the current appropriations of the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the National Housing Authority (NHA).
“The funds shall be used to provide humanitarian assistance to victims of the siege of Marawi City and for the rehabilitation of destroyed infrastructures, properties, and businesses. The appropriated amount shall be released by the Department of Budget and Management equally to the DND, DepEd, DPWH, DSWD, and NHA,” the bill said.
“While many efforts have been successful in properly evacuating innocent civilians from the zone of conflict, the government must plan and appropriate funds towards the rehabilitation of Marawi City and the restoration of peace and order within the area,” it added.
Roque called this Tindeg Marawi “to embody the fighting spirit of the people of Marawi in overcoming this vicious attack.”
“Tindeg – as a cultural concept deeply embedded in the Maranao psyche – expresses the Maranao people’s resilience and fortitude to stand up for what is right and what is just,” he said.
Kin of slain Marines to receive P700K worth of benefits
Meanwhile, Philippine Navy spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday that families of the 13 Marines troopers who were killed by Maute terrorists in Marawi would receive P700,000 worth of benefits.
“(There) will be a total of PHP700,000 per family…(it) will be immediately received,” said Lincuna.
The assistance includes benefits from the Philippine Navy Assistance System, Marines Assistance, and Special Financial Assistance, and free burial services.
Fifty-eight government troops had been confirmed killed in the Marawi clashes.
