Marawi rehab needs political will, not just funds —Honasan

The success of rebuilding Marawi City depends not only on the allocation of funds for the construction and repair of homes and infrastructure but also on political will, Senator Gringo Honasan said Wednesday.

“President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that Marawi will rise from the rubble of war and will be prosperous again is a bold assertion that goes beyond military action,” Honasan said in a statement.

“It’s success will depend on political will, a clear sense of national priorities and available funds,” he said.

On Tuesday, Duterte vowed to “rebuild” Marawi, as the city is now left in ruins after weeks of clashes between the military and ISIS-linked Maute group.

“Sabi ko I need a big amount because I will rebuild Marawi. Kailangan ko talaga eh, itayo ko uli ang Marawi, kasi pag hindi, I will remain forever na kontrabida,” Duterte said in his speech for the Eid’l Fitr celebration in Malacañang.

Meanwhile, some senators backed Duterte’s P20-billion pledge for Marawi and its residents, and expressed support for additional budgetary allocation if needed.

“Both houses of Congress are surely willing to extend whatever appropriations or budgetary support that may be necessary going forward for the rebuild,” Senator Sonny Angara said.

Malacañang earlier said that the first P10 billion for the besieged Lanao del Sur capital will be sourced from the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the government can tap the national risk reduction and management fund for the rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City.

“We support the President’s desire to help Marawi City to recover from this tragic incident,” Drilon said.

“The government can use a portion of the P15.7 billion national risk reduction and management fund to properly capacitate government relief and long-term rehabilitation efforts,” he added.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, for his part, said the P20-billion pledge of Duterte will only cover housing aid.

Moving forward, Gatchalian said the government should intensity efforts to prevent extremism, by injecting more funds into infrastructure and helping boost the local economy.

“Government should identify low hanging economic fruits that will jumpstart the local Marawi and ARMM economy. Investments and job creation will be the main goal of this center,” Gatchalian said. 

“The only way to prevent extremism is to make sure people have the basic necessities for their family,” he added. —NB/KVD, GMA News