House panel grills Bangon Marawi task force over P17.2-B rehab projects

Members of the House committee on Muslim affairs grilled representatives of the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) on Wednesday for failing to present clearly the specific plan and location of its infrastructure projects inside the most affected area (MAA) in the Islamic City of Marawi.

At a Congressional briefing on Wednesday, the first anniversary of the Marawi siege, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Director Mylene Rivera presented the task force’s development plan for the war-torn city, specifically in the MAA (formerly ground zero).

The plan, pegged at P17.2 billion, entails the rebuilding of public facilities, infrastructure and commercial structures.

Among the infrastructures presented by Rivera to be built in Padian were cultural center, market, plaza, and promenade, among others.

Rep. Mauyag Papandayan, Jr. questioned the location of these infrastructures, noting that residents of the war-torn area could be displaced by these projects.

“Sabi nyo walang lupa na pwersahang kukuhain? ‘Di ba (yung mga infrastructure) dun ilalagay sa MAA, paano mangyayari sa mga may-ari ng mga bahay na nandyan nasira? What will happen to them kasi kung gagawin nyong plaza, saan sila malalagay?” Papandayan asked.

TFBM Spokesperson and Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Administration Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima said they have already discussed this with the stakeholders during their consultations with them.

“We’ve discussed this with the stakeholders during our consultations and we’ve determined that there will be minimal disruption to private property. If we need to expand certain roads for example, then we will undertake a process for that, Mr. Chair,” Purisima said.

Rivera also clarified that “definitely no private land will be forcibly taken” in constructing these facilities.

But their answers did not sit well with Papandayan.

“If you were in Marawi, wala naman vacant space dyan na paglalagyan mo ng mga ito. Other than kukunin mo yung mga bahay bahay. Ano mangayayri sa mga may-ari ng bahay na kukunin mo ang espasyo?” he lamented.

“Ang dami nyo proposed project dito, kung tutuusin napakaganda nito pero what will happen to the people living sa lugar na yan, nandyan na yan before the Republic of the Philippines was established, saan nyo sila ilalagay at papatirahin,” he added.

“I was born in Marawi, wala ako makita dyan na malalagyan ng cultural center. Hindi ba injusice ang mangyayari dyan?” he further stressed.

Purisima said their presentation is not yet final and they are open to suggestions.

But Papandayan viewed this as a concern since the task fore is planning to start the project this June.

“Hindi pa final at hindi pa sigurado ang mga plano ninyo but you are going to start the project sa June 2018. Paano kayo magsstart kung hindi pa final? kailan magiging final yan?” he asked.

Purisima said: “That’s the purpose of negotiations, to come up with the final plan on the locations. Then we would have to adjust the timeline most probably.”

Meanwhile, Committee member Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan reminded the TFBM members to update their data on the number of affected Marawi residents and to ensure that no Maranao or Marawi resident would be displaced by these programs.

“When you talk of planning, of programming, you always start from the data, hindi ka makakabuo ng plano kahit ang framework kung wala kang datos,” Sangcopan pointed out.

“Kung mangyayari siya (projects) that would be good for the people of Marawi City pero merong customary practices ang Maranao na kailangan tignan. I hope that no Maranao or Marawi resident will be displaced and no land will be forcibly taken,” she added.

The committee is also set to summon HUDCC chief Eduardo Del Rosario, representatives from the National Housing Authority and other stakeholders, including civil society organizations from Marawi City. /vvp