NCMF defends use of Marawi rehab funds for Hajj trips

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) on Thursday defended the use of Marawi rehabilitation funds to send some internally displaced persons (IDPs) to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj last year.

According to Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) chairperson and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chief Eduardo del Rosario, the P5-million fund released to the NCMF was part of the "social healing process" in the overall rehabilitation of the war-torn city.

In an interview on GMA News TV's Balitanghali, NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan said Del Rosario signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the funds in June 2018.

He also said the TFBM has sponsored the trips of at least 20 IDPs who were picked via raffle.

"Alam mo, ang mga taga Marawi ay dalawang taon nang naghihirap diyan sa mga evacuation centers, mga temporary shelters, at saka sa mga bahay ng mga kamag-anak," Pangarungan explained.

"So, as part of the social healing process, para ma-ease, 'yung mabawasan 'yung paghirap nila, itong mga sakit ng loob nila, nagkaroon ng raffle ang task force bangon marawi for that...group na 20 mga IDPs 'yon," he said.

"So totoong mga IDPs 'yon," he added. 

According to the NCMF chief, taking part in the Islamic pilgrimage brought social healing and joy to the IDPs.

"Nakikita ko rin yung intention ni Secretary Del Rosario na gustong tumulong sa mga Muslim na nasiraan doon sa City of Marawi...Kaya nagkaroon ng ganoon na raffle para mabawasan 'yung mga sakit ng loob ng mga IDPs sa Marawi. Kaya tuwang tuwa naman 'yung mga 'yon at sila ay nakapunta sa Saudi," Pangarungan said.

"Alam no, mga Muslim, ito ang lifetime dream ng mga Muslim na makapunta sa Hajj. Kaya tuwang-tuwa 'yung mga IDPs na pumunta sa Saudi for the Hajj last year," he added. 

Pangarungan also said there were more IDPs who have been picked in a another raffle this year, but clarified they had yet to secure funding for the trips.

"We have not signed any MOA with Secretary Del Rosario. Kaya, sa ngayon, although may napiling 32 na mga IDPs to go to the Hajj, wala pang pondo," he said.

"Pag hindi napirmahan 'yung MOA that will give the necessary funds to fund their trip to Saudi, hindi sila matutuloy," he added.

Explain

In its 2018 audit report, Commission on Audit (COA) demanded from the HUDCC the return of the expenses incurred for the trips.

COA said the diverted fund, which was drawn from the P500-million allocation for the operational expenses of the task force, was supposed to be used for the  recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi and other affected localities.

Malacañang has said it would ask for an explanation on the issue.

“That would be technical malversation kung totoo. Hindi pa natin alam,” Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

“We’ll ask the HUDCC to explain kung totoo yun o hindi. But I think they will already explain kasi COA has raised it," he added. — Margaret Claire Layug/RSJ, GMA News