Senator Gatchalian Urges NHA on Friendly Housing Cost for Marawi Victims

Months into the rehabilitation of the war-torn Marawi City of Mindanao, senator Sherwin Gatchalian recently urged the National Housing Authority (NHA) to maintain a “friendly” house rebuilding package for the aforementioned city.

Senator Win Gatchalian in Marawi City (photo from WinGatchalian.com)

The package involves more than 8,000 displaced families in the most affected area (MAA) of Marawi City.

Senator Gatchalian highlighted that the national government agencies should aid local government units (LGUs) in assessing the damage done to houses at ground zero.

“The government, through the NHA, should open a window of opportunity for all of our brothers and sister in Marawi to rebuild their homes through a friendly housing package. Its payment terms should be longer, maybe around 10 to 15 years, with interest of 2-3%, or even lower depending on the availability of funds,” said Gatchalian, a member of the Senate ad hoc committee on Marawi rehabilitation and reconstruction.

From these assessments, the senator said the NHA could then present an appropriate finance package. Citing Undersecretary Falconi Millar of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) who said there are 6,400 temporary shelter units under construction in Brgy. Sagonsongan, Gathchalian expects all to be completed before the end of the year.

Millar added that different modalities were being applied to fast-track the construction, including partnerships with LGUs for the construction of 2,000 more shelters, and with other benefactor organizations through donations.

Furthermore, an Inquire.net report mentioned that the construction of 2,700 permanent shelters shall commence as soon as the Task Force Bangon Marawi identifies the location where these new units will rise.

Moreover, the rehabilitation should include determining whether the structures are still worthy of habitation given the destruction caused by the recent war.

May these positive developments continue for the sake of our brothers in Marawi!