P5 billion alloted for Marawi rehabilitation this year

MANILA, Philippines — The government has allotted P5 billion this year for the reconstruction and repair of war-stricken Marawi City, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

In a press conference, Lorenzana said the Department of Budget and Management has allocated "about P5 billion" for the support of evacuees, reconstruction of infrastructure and repair of bridges.

The said budget would be spent until the end of the year, Lorenzana noted.

For 2018, the defense chief said the government is looking into a budget of P10 billion for the rehabilitation.

Lorenzana said that since the expenses in the rehabilitation of Marawi is "not anticipated," the budget would have to be pulled from different agencies.

On Monday morning, the Department of National Defense declared that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute were killed by the military.

READ: Isnilon Hapilon, Omar Maute confirmed killed in Marawi

Lorenzana added that the death of the two terrorist leaders signals the nearing end of the conflict in Marawi City that has been besieged since May.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council said Task Force Bangon Marawi has deployed five post-conflict needs assessment teams on Monday morning to collate data on the damage and losses incurred in 24 barangays in Marawi City.

READ: Damage assessment teams sent to Marawi

Meanwhile, assessment in Zones 13 to 17 will commence when the AFP completes its clearing operations in the said areas.

Nearly five months since the siege began, 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.