Palace says Marawi rehabilitation to continue

MANILA, Philippines — The government will continue to support the rehabilitation of conflict-ravaged Marawi City but will focus on the needs of affected residents, not on the buildings of big businesses, Malacañang said yesterday. 

President Duterte drew flak last week after saying he was not ready to spend government money for the buildings damaged during the 2017 Marawi siege. He said businessmen have money to repair their structures.

The Marawi siege, which saw Islamic State-linked terrorists occupying the southern city, paved the way for the imposition of martial law in Mindanao and clashes that lasted for five months, the longest urban warfare in the Philippines since World War II.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo clarified that Duterte was only referring to big businesses when he said he would not fund the rehabilitation of buildings damaged during the siege.

“He said the buildings of businessmen were damaged. He said they should shoulder the expenses. We cannot spend for that. We will prioritize the people, not you. You have to spend also for that. You cannot rely on us on that,” Panelo said at a press briefing. 

“You have to help us because the priority will be the people there, not the businesses of the businessmen. They have the money,” he added.  

Panelo said the administration would prioritize the building of houses for residents who were displaced by the conflict, the giving of assistance to people who were injured during the clashes and the building of hospitals.

Owners of micro, small and medium enterprises would also get assistance, he added. 

“Since you are businessmen, you have money so you have to help yourselves first. The Marawi rehabilitation will push through but the priority would be on the people of Marawi,” he stressed.

About P62 billion is needed to rehabilitate the conflict-torn city, according to official estimates.