Some 150 permanent houses were recently given to residents in Marawi City by the Japan Government in a bid to help the war-torn city recover from the impacts of the deadly 2017 siege.
The houses were turned over to displaced families during the Marawi siege. The housing units were delivered under the third phase of the project between the Government of Japan and UN-Habitat Philippines.
The houses are located in Barangay Kilala, according to Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko who led the turnover of the houses virtually on Oct. 15.
He joined Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Chairman and Department of Human Settlements and Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo D. Del Rosario, Marawi City Mayor Majul U. Gandamra, and UN-Habitat Philippines Country Programme Manager Christopher Rollo in granting the units to beneficiaries.
"This ceremonial turnover is part of the Government of Japan’s commitment to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi City, and its unwavering support for the Mindanao Peace Process," the Japan Embassy said in a statement on Tuesday, Oct. 19.
In March 2018, the Government of Japan provided a grant of $10 million (P500 million) in support of UN-Habitat's program to provide core shelters and livelihood support for those affected by the Marawi incident.
A total of 109 permanent houses were completed under the first phase of the project in February 2021. The houses are located in Barangay Dulay West, which is now called the Hadiya (gift) Village.
Additional 170 permanent houses in Darussalam Village and Pamayandeg sa Ranaw Residences at Dansalan were also completed under the second phase of the project in July 2021.
It was disclosed that more than 1,000 houses are expected to be turned over under the joint project.