Damage assessment teams sent to Marawi
In this photo taken in on June 3, 2017, soldiers escort rescued civilians in a village on the outskirts of Marawi. Families trapped in the clashes have been asked to prepare flags made of white cloth to signal government troops for rescue. AFP
MANILA, Philippines — Task Force Bangon Marawi has deployed post-conflict needs assessment teams to Marawi City.
In a statement by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the agency said that five teams were deployed to 24 barangays in Marawi City to "assess the damages and losses incurred due to the still on-going conflict" in the area.
On Monday morning, the Department of National Defense declared that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute were killed by the military. The death of the two terrorist leaders, said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, signals the nearing end of the conflict in war-torn Marawi City.
The NDRMMC said the teams would assess barangays in Zones 0 to 12 that were identified as clear by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The agency set October 27 as each team's target date for the completion of field deployment, data analysis and consolidation and report development.
The teams are composed of members from the following agencies:
- Department of Science and Technology
- Department of Trade and Industry
- Department of Education
- Department of Social Welfare and Development
- Department of Public Works and Highways
- Housing and Urban Development Council
- Department of Information and Communications Technology
- National Economic Development Authority
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources
- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
- National Electrification Administration
- National Housing Authority
- Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board
- Social Housing Finance Corporation
- Local Water Utilities Administration.
Meanwhile, damage and losses assessment in Zones 13 to 17 will commence when the AFP completes its clearing operations in the said areas.
During the height of the conflict, the task force focused on providing assistance for the internally displaced persons.
Nearly five months since war broke out, the military has recorded about 400,000 residents displaced. President Rodrigo Duterte, on May 23, has put the entire Mindanao island under martial law.
The Palace said it would "announce the termination of hostilities" once government troops have ensured that all terrorists are neutralized and areas are cleared of improvised explosive devices and other traps.
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