MSU, some business establishments in Marawi reopen

The Mindanao State University (MSU) and some business establishments in Marawi City have started to reopen as the situation in some parts of the besieged city are slowly returning to normal.

A report by GMA News' Maki Pulido on 24 Oras on Monday said some stores have opened while the MSU, which was closed following the Maute group's attack on May 23, has started to prepare for its graduation rites.

The university's professors and staff attended the flag-raising ceremony held on Monday morning at the main campus in the city.

Pulido reported that the war zone can be seen from the MSU campus while sounds of gunshots and bomb explosions can also be heard.

On Tuesday, military air strikes continued as the conflict entered its seventh week.

More than 400 people, mostly militants, have been killed and thousands of residents displaced.

The MSU management, meanwhile, said that it decided to restart operations and prepare not only for the graduation rites, but also for the opening of classes in August since the area where it is located has been declared as one of the safe zones.

Free tuition

The MSU management had told its employees, particularly the teachers, that those who will not report for work will face suspension or termination.

"Kung nung kasagsagan ng giyera normal tayo, how much more na 90 percent na sa Marawi City yung normal. Sa atin sa MSU palaging normal tayo," said MSU president Dr. Habib Macaayong.

Maayong also announced that students will be allowed to return to school without paying tuition fees.

"For all our students to come, free tuition starting first semester...So please send your students back. I made an appeal to all the universities, please do not accept our students because we want them back to our Marawi campus," Alma Berua, MSU's vice president for academic affairs, said.

Reviving livelihood

Business establishments near the university have opened in anticipation of the resumption of classes.

"Kailangan kasi...Saan naman kami pupunta lalo nang maraming bata?" Raya Mamadra, a store owner in front of MSU, said.

A souvenir shop owner, meanwhile, said that the resumption of classes at the MSU would somehow help them buy food again.

"Makabenta kami para meron kaming maibili ng pagkain namin," she said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier formalized the creation of an inter-agency task force for the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

Duterte signed Administrative Order No. 3 on June 28 to create Task Force Bangon Marawi, with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as chairperson and Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar as vice chairperson. —Marlly Rome C. Bondoc/ALG/KVD, GMA News