THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has handed over to Marawi government officials the P76 million intended for the water system project as part of the rehabilitation program in the war-torn city.

DILG officer-in-charge Eduardo Año said Thursday, August 2, that at least 2,156 households will benefit from the water project, which is part of the agency’s Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig para sa Lahat (Salintubig) program.

He said each household of the families affected by the five-month long war in Marawi will have access to potable water.

Año said the water project is expected to be completed by December 2019.

“The DILG has actively contributed to end the Marawi siege and reclaiming of the city from the local terrorist group. Now, the department continues to be proactive in its rehabilitation,” he said.

“Hindi kami bibitaw. Kasama ninyo ang DILG at ang buong TFBM sa pagbangon muli ng lungsod at ang mga residente nito,” he added.

Año is a co-lead in the interagency Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) sub-committee on security, peace and order that is responsible for the restoration of water, electricity, and other public utilities in Marawi.

The Salintubig project covers seven priority barangays such as Sagonsongan, Mipaga, Emie Punod, Basak Malutlut, East Basak, Poblacion, and Moriatao Loksadato.

It is part of the P10-billion rehabilitation program allocated by the government under the 2018 General Appropriations Act.

Año said a tripartite memorandum of agreement has been inked between the DILG-Northern Mindanao, DILG Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and City Government of Marawi for the implementation arrangements.

He said the project’s program of works and detailed engineering designs are on finalization stage.

On May 23, 2017, the Islamic State (ISIS)-inspired Maute group attacked Marawi, took several hostages and made them human shield, occupied and took over control of various establishments and used it as their lair and advantage against the government forces.

Amid the operations to flush out the terrorists from the city, the area was almost flattened.

In October 2017, after five-months since the conflict started, the war finally ended when the Maute’s top leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute were killed in a military assault. (SunStar Philippines)