Column

Advocate’s plight

While on my way home, I saw a bunch of homeless families in front of two closed banks and a pharmacy setting their makeshift bed made out of paper scraps and cellophane before they rest from engaging in tedious work at the city. Some of them beg on the streets and outside various convenience stores. Maybe, some are also working in contractual jobs. Others, I don’t know. But one thing is common among them: they all want to survive. 

As the tricycle gets farther from the scene, my gaze remained at them, and a melancholic feeling started to bother me, reminiscing my life as an advocate when I was still in Marawi City. It was the same structure of the house I saw, which are also made out of scraps. It was the same faces I encountered – tired and forlorn. It was the same scene I can recall – each day is a chance to survive.

It’s been four years since the Marawi siege; and all I can do right now is to pray and hope for the better future of the internally displaced individuals. At best, I am writing about them through this platform afforded to me.

At present, rehabilitation and construction of infrastructures are taking place. According to Eduardo Del Rosario, head of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and Task Force Bangon Marawi, the lead agency assigned to facilitate the rehabilitation, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in Marawi, rehabilitation is now 60 percent complete.

By the end of April 2021, Holcim Philippines reported that 491 of the 1,057 housing units have been completed. The United Nations Human Settlement Program (UN-Habitat), in collaboration with Holcim and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) led the initiative.

With regards to identification of casualties, only four of the 470 bodies buried in Marawi have been recognized. The Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory Region 10 is asking for relatives to come forward so that their DNA can be matched to the bodies.

Malacañang remains optimistic that the war-torn city will be completely built before President Rodrigo Duterte bows out of office on 2022. Also, Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra called on the lawmakers to prioritize the passage of Marawi compensation bill, to provide ample and necessary support to the affected residents and give opportunities to rebuild their lives.

Apart from financial support, social healing also demands recognition of how Marawi’s grandeur and identity were lost. As the Islamic capital of the country, the faith, cultures, and identities of the people are embedded in its vibrant and rich communities.

It’s been four years now. Marawi City and its people deserve to move forward. But moving on and social healing can only happen if we afford them a safe and dignified return and justice for the innocent lives that were lost.