MANILA, PHILIPPINES (14 November 2018) — As the Asian Development Bank (ADB) considers a $400 million emergency relief package to assist in the rebuilding and rehabilitation of Marawi City in southern Philippines, ADB Vice-President Mr. Stephen Groff visited the city and discussed with provincial and city leaders and displaced residents how ADB can help improve the lives of people affected by the armed conflict that ended in October 2017.
During his visit on 13 November, Mr. Groff met with Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Field Office Manager and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Assistant Secretary Mr. Felix Castro, Jr.
Mr. Groff also spoke with residents at Sagonsongan Transitional Shelter and elementary students at a temporary school. He saw firsthand the damage in the city center and discussed the city’s need with Marawi City Mayor Mr. Majul Gandamra, Lanao del Sur provincial administrator Ms. Juraira Alonto, officials from TFBM and the Department of Public Works and Highways, and other stakeholders.
“ADB is committed to helping rebuild the city of Marawi into a thriving economic center where people live in peace and prosperity,” said Mr. Groff. “We are preparing a comprehensive assistance package that seeks to help ease the adverse social impact of the armed conflict on the city and its residents.”
The consultation meetings, which ADB Country Director for the Philippines Mr. Kelly Bird, Director for Transport and Communications Mr. Hiroaki Yamaguchi, and other ADB staff also attended, will inform the assistance package ADB’s Board of Directors will consider.
ADB’s package of assistance, which is expected to be approved and signed in early December, seeks to help provide flexible and immediate financing for the city’s rebuilding and rehabilitation, including the improvement of the city’s connectivity through better public infrastructure.
ADB is preparing to help restore water utilities and health infrastructure, improve the delivery of social services, and provide livelihoods to affected residents of Marawi in Lanao del Sur province. Lanao del Sur is the poorest province in the country, with nearly three-fourths of its population living below the poverty line.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2017, ADB operations totaled $32.2 billion, including $11.9 billion in cofinancing.
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This article was first published by the Asian Development Bank (www.adb.org).
