THE Chinese government donated P15 million to the Philippine government for the relief operations and rehabilitation of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jinhua on Tuesday presented to Duterte a P15-million check donation for allocation to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The DOH and the DSWD are in command of the immediate operations, such as medical response, evacuation and logistical support, to the victims of the conflict in Marawi City.
In a statement, Malacañang described the Chinese donation to the Philippines “as an example of the flourishing partnership between two countries and their shared commitment toward sustainable peace in the region”.
As of Monday, the DOH has spent P52 million for the medical checkups, immunizations, medicine and mental and psychological services to the displaced persons.
Meanwhile, the DSWD has shelled out P85.53 million worth of assistance to the affected families, mostly for food packs, hygiene and dignity kits, kitchen utensils and tents.
In a speech on Tuesday, Duterte vowed to make Marawi City great again.
“One thing I will promise you, my brother Moros, I will see to it that Marawi City will rise again as a prosperous city,” he told an audience largely composed of representatives of the Muslim community.
The Chief Executive said he would seek funding for the rehabilitation of the besieged municipality to ensure its swift and efficient recovery from the atrocities of the conflict.
“I will tell Sonny [Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III] that I will be needing a big amount because I will rebuild Marawi City,” Duterte added.
Duterte said the government is doing everything to hasten the flushing out of the Maute Group terrorists from Marawi City. He said he instructed relevant government agencies to begin drawing up the rehabilitation plan.
“We have laid concrete plans on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of your lives and communities. Task Force Bangon Marawi, composed of various agencies of the government, is being created to hasten recovery efforts in Marawi City,” Duterte said.
The government has allocated P20 billion for the rehabilitation program and more funds will be added if deemed necessary, he added.
“Meaningful and long-term support will also be made available, with the help of our partners in the private sector and the international community,” Duterte said.
Fighting in Marawi City has been ongoing for more than a month now, and the conflict has left 397 people dead. The military has failed to fulfill its previous deadlines on putting an end to the war, citing several factors affecting its operations, such as the terrorists taking refuge in places of worship, which government forces cannot bomb.
Image credits: PNA