Australia donates P140 million for Marawi rehab

MANILA, Philippines — The Australian government will provide an additional P140 million for the recovery and reconstruction of Marawi.

“We will continue to support the Philippine government and the people of Marawi as they work to rebuild their lives and their city,” Ambassador Steven Robinson said during the signing of a memorandum of partnership between the Australian embassy and Community and Family Services International, which manages and implements the Marawi Recovery Project.

The P140 million brings Australia’s assistance for humanitarian, recovery and peacebuilding initiatives in Marawi to P1.2 billion.

The project will benefit 6,500 families in Marawi and in the towns of Butig, Ditsaan-Ramain, Lumbayanague, Marantao, Masiu and Piagapo in Lanao del Sur as well as Iligan City and Munai in Lanao del Norte.

The additional funding will be used to support more families in rebuilding their lives through counseling, securing civil birth certificates and other proofs of identity as well as to provide tricycles, sewing machines and refrigerators, among other items, to start a small business.

The program is being implemented in partnership with concerned local government units, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Task Force Bangon Marawi.