MANILA-- To ensure that beseiged Marawi City will be able to rise from the devastation caused by heavy fighting with Daesh group terrorists, post-disaster assessment is now being conducted by the body tasked for its rehabilitation and repair.

This was said by Defense Secretary and Task Force "Bangon Marawi" head Delfin Lorenzana in a press briefing.

Post-disaster assessment teams are being supervised by Defense undersecretary and Task Force "Bangon Marawi" executive director Cesar Yano.

"We are now conducting post-disaster assessment (in Marawi City and Undersecretary Yano is in charge there. He is the one organizing (various) government agencies, department and local government officials and the sultans as they will have a say on the rehabilitation," Lorenzana said in Filipino.

The task force will focus on repairing and making sure that all infrastructures, bridges, streets, and other facilities, are cleared and put in running order as quickly as possible, to expedite the rehabilitation of the city, including its business district.

Also, evacuees whose houses were not damaged in the fighting will be allowed to return to the city as soon as possible.

"Then, we will (open) stores and deploy Department of Trade and Industry's rolling stores, to ensure that returning evacuees will have sources to acquire their supplies and other daily needs," the defense secretary pointed out.

Temporary homes are also in the footing for residents those homes were damaged by the fighting which started last May 23 when government forces attempted to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS "emir" Isnilon Hapilon.

"As soon as the last shot is fired, the rehabilitation phase will start immediately. All available engineering equipment are there, including (those of) the Department of Public Works and Highways," the defense chief stressed.


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