More than three weeks since the onset of the Marawi City war, the rapid increase in the number of casualties, evacuees, victims and other damaged properties continue to add up. The ongoing armed conflict has displaced around 218,665 individuals as of May 31, 2017 according to ARMM Emergency Action and Response Team.
The Secretary of Public Works and Highways Mark A. Villar ordered to extend assistance to the bereaved family and affected people in the clash between state forces and the extremists of the terrorist group, Maute. He sent Undersecretary for UPMO Operations Emil K. Sadain to represent him in the distribution of the relief packages to five (5) evacuation centers situated in Lanao del Norte:
•Buruun School of Fisheries: Families -172
Individuals - 860
•Buruun Gym Families - 57
Individuals - 228
•Maria Christina Gym: Families - 218
Individuals -1,000
•Sta. Elena Gym: Families - 243
Individuals -1,000
•Tibanga Gym: Families -121
Individuals -484
Eight hundred eleven (811) families or a total of 3,572 individuals were given assistance through packed goods. One thousand one hundred twenty four (1,124) relief packages were also distributed to the 103 Brigade Batallion and 304 packages to the Madrasa. Overall, 5,000 relief packages were given to the evacuees that may last for 3 to 4 weeks.
The packing of the relief goods were prepared by the personnel of Lanao del Norte 2nd District Engineering Office (DEO) headed by District Engineer Rey Peter B. Gille and the Section Chiefs. DPWH-10 Regional Director Virgilio C. Eduarte and Project Director for UPMO Roads Management Cluster II Sharif Madsmo H. Hasim were also at hand in the distribution of the goods.
Lanao del Norte 1st DEO under District Engineer Hadji Khalil D. Sultan has also mobilized their resources and distributed relief packs to affected families earlier on May 24, 2017 and continued as the need arises.
Moreover, Secretary Villar also instructed the creation of a Reconstruction Plan for Marawi City and currently, the Regional Office-10 is in the process of organizing a team to be deployed in the City for the assessment of damaged infrastructures for rehabilitation. Equipment utilization and manpower support is also prioritized in this time of need.