Impractical to allow return of Marawi locals without water, power supplies — Palace

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines — It would be “impractical” to allow all displaced residents of Marawi City to return since there is still no water and power supplies in the area, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Only those who secured permits to build or repair their homes were allowed to return to the war-torn city, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing.

“Wala pong katotohanan yung report ng alleged NGO [non-government organization] na hindi daw pinababalik ang mga IDPs [internally displaced persons]. Nakakabalik na po sila. Kinakailangan lang nilang kumuha ng permit para naman po sa safety yan,” Roque said.

(There is no truth to the report of an alleged NGO that the IDPs were not allowed to return. They can return, provided they secure a permit which is intended for their safety.)

“Sa ngayon hindi pa praktikal na payagan lahat ng residente bumalik dahil wala pang tubig at ilaw at walang matutuluyan. Magiging isang malaki at magulong evacuation center lang ang mangyayari,” he added.

(Right now, it is impractical to allow all residents to return because there is still no water, electricity or a place to stay. It will become a big and chaotic evacuation center should that happen.)

Three years after the government declared Marawi City free from a local terror group, Marawi residents said there is nothing to commemorate as they remain barred from returning home and have yet to receive compensation for losses.

“Most of us have not been allowed to return to our homes and rebuild our lives. There has been no compensation for the damage to our personal properties,” Marawi Reconstruction Conflict Watch said.

In June, chairman of Task Force Bangon Marawi Housing Secretary Eduardo del Rosario assured that rehabilitation of Marawi City would be completed within the target deadline of December 2021.

JPV