By Bonita Ermac
MARAWI CITY - Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Stephen Groff said Tuesday that a package of assistance worth around $400 million is being considered for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi City's most affected area.
Asian Development Bank Vice President Stephen Groff together with TFBM field manager Assistant secretary Felix Castro Jr. led the visit to the transitional shelters today in Barangay Sagonsongan, Marawi City (BONITA ERMAC/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The ADB team, together with Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) field manager Assistant secretary Felix Castro Jr. visited the city's temporary shelters in barangay Sagonsongan and the most affected area (MAA) to primarily assess the condition of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and in preparation for the Emergency Assistance Package to be given by the ADB.
"We are in the process of preparing a new program to help with the recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi City, and it is very important that we get a very good picture of the situation there,” Groff said.
The group also met with local government officials and the targeted beneficiaries to ensure that the assistance package from the ADB will actually provide the necessary kind of support to help in the rehabilitation and reconstruction.
The assistance comes in the form of loan and grant and includes a grant component of $8 million subject to the approval of the ADB director, clarified Groff.
Groff said they were so affected when they saw the extent of the devastation.
“It's really shocking to see how completely ruined a central part of the city is,” he said.