Market for 13,000 IDPs

ECONOMIC RESPONSE --- ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman and other government officials of the region and Lanao del Sur province broke ground on the P30-million worth wet and dry public market in Bubong town, Lanao del Sur last February 7. The construction of the public market will facilitate economic activity in the town and in the entire first district of Lanao del Sur since these areas have no proper marketplace. (BPI-ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

MARAWI CITY --- More than 13,000 individuals displaced by the Marawi siege stand to benefit from a public market to be constructed by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Bubong, Lanao del Sur this year.

The ground-breaking ceremony for the wet and dry market was led by ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, along with other officials, in Bubong, Lanao del Sur last February 8.

The public market, worth P30 million, will sit on a one-and-a-half hectare of land and will house 100 stalls. The market is expected to be completed in 240 days.

Governor Hataman said the construction of the public market will open additional economic activities in the town and in the entire first district of Lanao del Sur since these areas have no formal marketplace. “It will mainly cater to displaced residents of Marawi City who have sought refuge in the town,” Governor Hataman added.

About 2,722 families, or more than 13,000 individuals, have sought refuge in Marawi City's adjacent town of Bubong since fighting in the Islamic city started in May 2017.

Governor Hataman has attended numerous consultation dialogues with the displaced individuals to hear grievances from the grassroots. The consultations, Governor Hataman said, will help in making a “well-informed decision” for the projects and assistance that will facilitate in uplifting the lives of displaced Marawi residents.

The IDP-organized Sowara O Miamagoyag, representing more than 12,000 households which evacuated to towns of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Oriental, and to the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, has been active in promoting the welfare of its members.

Sittie Joharah Pacalindo-Mamacotao, 27, a leader of the group from Barangay Marinaut, Marawi City, said displaced residents should be supported on their immediate needs of recovery to enable dignified survival. “We want to become their representatives to amplify their voice.”  

The group also recommended reparation and compensation for property damage; livelihood; recovery and access to employment; shelter; participatory, transparent, and accountable planning of Marawi rehabilitation; and land dispute resolutions.

“Naniniwala ako na makakabangon ang mga Maranaw kapag natulungan sila ng maayos,” Governor Hataman told the IDP leaders.

The regional government has P150 million in un-programmed funds reserved for projects and programs that would help in rebuilding Marawi City.

The regional government and the provincial government of Lanao del Sur will jointly build an integrated public market and rehabilitate the terminal at the Greater Marawi Area in Marawi City this year costing P90 million.

The national government-led Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) has allocated a P10-billion fund for the rehabilitation of Marawi City. The fund can be accessed by government offices for any project through proposals.

The ARMM government has sent a proposal to the TFBM for the construction of 500 permanent houses with complete facilities such as kitchen, solar panel for electricity, and water sources. (Bureau of Public Information – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)