With the “liberation” of Marawi from terrorist influence as pronounced by President Duterte, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) says that the government will be transparent and would endeavour to continuously update the public on the rehabilitation of the torn City.
DILG Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Catalino S. Cuy says that even ahead of the awaited close of the protracted Marawi siege, the inter-agency Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), created through Administrative Order No. 3 on June 28, has already started coordination and on- the- ground activities for the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi and other affected localities.
“Informing affected communities and the general public of what the government is doing for Marawi rehabilitation is part and parcel of public service,” says Cuy.
Among the support groups created for the TFBM is the Information Management and Strategic Communication Support Group (IMSCSG) headed by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and co-headed by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
DILG Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Marjorie N. Jalosjos says, “IMSCSG ensures that all Marawi rebuilding narratives are consistent and accurate.”
“Now is the time to show and tell the Filipino people what the government, as a whole, can do through close cooperation and one vision at iyon ang makauwi ang mga taga-Marawi sa kanilang lungsod na mapayapa at maunlad,” says Jalosjos.
She shares that communication initiatives are lined up including the anticipated launching of a TFBM website with domain name www.bangonmarawi.ph.
The PIA is in-charge of the development of the website which will highlight the efforts of TFBM and will encourage the public to participate in Marawi rehabilitation.
“There is a development master plan to bring back a better Marawi and Ranao (Maranao people’s term for Lanao del Sur). Ang bawat isa ay may maiaambag sa pagbangon ng Marawi,” she points out.
Marawi donation scammers
Meanwhile, the DILG reiterates its warning to the public to be wary of scammers soliciting money for Marawi evacuees.
According to Cuy, some DILG regional offices and a number of local government officials reported of getting suspicious calls and text messages from individuals posing either as the DILG OIC or his staff asking for cash ‘donations’ to be sent supposedly for Marawi crisis victims.
“The hands of the law will reach fraudsters who are shamelessly using the name of poor Marawi evacuees to get money from unsuspecting victims,” he says.
The DILG Acting Secretary prods local chief executives to take part in the investigation by helping confirm the identity of suspects.
“Help yourself from being a victim of extortionists and be part of the solution. Itong mga swindler na ito ay walang matatakbuhan kung tayong lahat ay gumawa ng kaukulang aksyon. Huwag tayong padadala sa kanilang mga panlilinlang,” he points out.
“It should raise a red flag when the con artists begin to ask for ‘your donation’ to be sent through a money remittance center or even bank account. Hindi naman ganyan ang tamang prosesong pagtanggap ng tulong, eh,” he adds.
Victims are urged to contact nearest local DILG offices or Philippine National Police (PNP) Camp Crame at (02) 7228116 and thru PNP trunk line (02) 7230401 local 3421 or 3381.
To be sure, local government officials and DILG regional and field officials are also told to check dilg.gov.ph for advisories on the modus operandi being utilized by scammers. —DILG-PACS
