The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to strengthen its coordination with other members of the ‘Task Force Bangon Marawi’ to intensify preparations for recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi City, where government forces continue to battle the Maute terror group.

Task Force Bangon Marawi is the government’s inter-agency task force for the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and other localities affected by the ongoing armed conflict in Lanao Del Sur. It was created by President Rodrigo R. Duterte under Administrative Order (AO) No. 03 issued on June 30.

During the task force’s second coordination meeting held yesterday at the Provincial Capitol of Lanao del Sur, DSWD Undersecretary for Operations and Protective Programs Hope V. Hervilla and Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DReAMB) Director Felino O. Castro V provided cluster updates on Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) protection, and the continuous provision of Food and Non-Food Items (FNFI) to the affected families.

Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut presented the actions that they will take for the planned establishment of a tent city at Barangay Sagongsongan as transitional shelters for residents returning to the city, as earlier proposed by DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo during the task force’s first meeting.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which heads the task force’s sub-committee on Business and Livelihood, shared its plans for the provision of livelihood assistance to the affected families. The DTI will use the master list of IDPs from the DSWD in determining the needs of the residents and as the basis for a well-targeted and effective livelihood programs for the beneficiaries.

On the other hand, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary for Regional Development Adoracion M. Navarro provided updates on the humanitarian assistance and pledges of development partners for the rehabilitation of Marawi City, while Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal A. Adiong, Jr. and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Executive Secretary Attorney Laisa M. Alamia discussed the formulation of the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program with the help of all member agencies.

To date, the DSWD and its concerned field offices continue to assist the IDPs affected by the ongoing armed conflict, monitoring the number of affected families, managing evacuation camps, and distributing family food packs to both home-based IDPs and those staying in evacuation centers.

“Para sa kapakanan ng mga kababayan nating apektado ng gulo sa Marawi, higit pa natin palalakasin ang ating pagkakaisa, maging higit na pursigido, mabilis, at mabisa sa pagtupad ng tungkulin para mas marami ang maabot ng ating tulong para sa kanila. Hangad natin na matapos na ang krisis at agad silang makabalik sa kanilang normal na buhay (For the welfare of our fellow citizens affected by the armed conflict in Marawi, we continue to strengthen our solidarity and strive to perform our duties so we can reach and help as many people as possible. We hope this war ends soon so affected residents may go back to their normal lives sooner),” Sec. Taguiwalo said.

Task Force Bangon Marawi is chaired by the Department of National Defense (DND) with the DPWH as vice-chair. Members include 23 national and local level agencies with the DSWD and the Department of Health being the sub-committee heads on Health and Social Welfare.

Under AO 03, the task force is in charge of organizing and deploying a Quick Response Team (QRT) that will provide for the immediate needs of displaced or adversely affected families, conducting a Post-Conflict Needs Assessment (PCNA) of Marawi City and other affected areas, and facilitating the construction of temporary or permanent shelters for displaced persons.

The team is also responsible for attending to the health, sanitation, food, and other basic needs of affected residents; and overseeing the restoration of public utilities such as water and electricity, and the repair and reconstruction of public buildings and infrastructure.

Moreover, the task force must ensure the restoration and maintenance of peace and order to provide an environment conducive to the revival of businesses and livelihood activities.###