Marawi rehab faces Yolanda-like delay

“Is it now the fault of the DBM instead of the TFBM for the inordinate delay?

One of the most devastating and deadliest cyclones that struck the country was the “Yolanda” killer-storm. More than 6,000 died and families were rendered homeless and facing a bleak future.

The scale and magnitude of that disaster were near the catastrophe that hit Marawi. According to figures (still counting because there are still missing and unaccounted victims like our house helper, his wife and daughter,) over a thousand died. It flattened also part of the city into ruins of rubbles and skeletal structures. But this was a man-made crisis and if you believe critics, could have been avoided if only government decision makers had shown a modicum of tolerance amidst overtures of rebels for possible surrender under certain terms.

In both tragedy, government pulled all stops reconstructing the structures and rehabilitating victims. A special Task Force was immediately created by government with inter-agency membership focused on the task. Like the Marawi rehab, the lead agency was the National Housing Authority (NHA). Government posthaste provided temporary shelters to victims. Foreign countries poured in dollars and relief assistance. The United Nation with its agencies got involved. And corporate philanthropists, the church and civil society groups chipped in their benevolence. These concerted efforts were meant to immediately eased the pain of loss and suffering of the victims.

Last week, the 6th anniversary of the “Yolanda” tragedy was observed yet the pabahay (housing) and other rehabilitation projects for Samar and neighboring towns hit by the storm remained incomplete. The reconstruction is still immersed in a quagmire of controversies like corruption, unfinished structures, used of substandard materials, etc. In fact the chair of the Volunteer Against Crime and Corruption, on TV said he had recommended to the President the filing of criminal and administrative cases against former officials of the NHA, for anomalies surrounding the rehab projects.

This revelation had worried Marawi residents. If the rehab and reconstruction in the “Yolanda” tragedy was not completed in that span of 6 years, how long will it take in the case of Marawi? They have to brace themselves for a long haul and years of desolate life in cramped temporary shelters or the inconvenience of relatives who have gratuitously accommodated them in their homes.

Marawi rehab is gradually being relegated by government to less priority. It is no longer on top of the national agenda. Every time a calamity strikes, Marawi’s reconstruction problem is pushed to the backburner.

In the latest congressional hearing at the House of Representatives, leaders of civil society groups bewailed the delay and lambasted the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM). They no longer believe the oft-repeated excuse of government about unexploded bombs buried in the area as reason for the delay. This is negated by the stream of visitors being allowed by government inside the Most Affected Area. If there is really danger, these visitors should not have been allowed entry.

The favorite whipping boy of critics is the TFBM which they accused of using so much of its budget in unnecessary travels of officials, meetings, seminars and other non-related activities like sponsoring pilgrims to Holy Mecca.

The issue on delay was further muddled with the revelation that over 4 billions of funds budgeted for the Marawi rehab remained unreleased by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Solons feared that if this is not released before the year’s end it will expire and automatically revert back to the national treasury along with other unexpended funds. Time is of the essence as few weeks remain for the year. This revelation has critics rethinking they could be barking at the wrong tree. Is it now the fault of the DBM instead of the TFBM for the inordinate delay? Or, is it the TFBM failing to submit required documents to support the release of funds? Where is the gridlock?

Whatever it is, the buck stops at the TFBM being the specialized agency for the project. It must sustain the project with added vigor and determination and finish the project within their self-imposed timeline, or else President Digong will absorb all the shocks, so to speak.

TFBM may find this analysis skewed. It could claim an orange and apple comparison. But the circumstances are alike. TFBM must avoid the pitfalls still haunting the “Yolanda” rehab.