Marawi is on its way to recovery. As the efforts continue
to revive Lanao Del Sur’s capital after being ravaged by war, private
institutions and government organizations are partnering to address the need
for water of Maranaos and others in the area.
As the country's major private sector driver and
coordinator for disaster resilience, the Philippine Disaster Resilience
Foundation (PDRF) linked with Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) to
provide the internally displaced people of Marawi with clean and safe water.
PDRF tapped PCPPI to provide 12 cylindrical, 20,000-liter water tanks to
various gravely affected barangays across the province. PCPPI will also partner
with PDRF to conduct community training on water management and hygiene, as
well as initiate various programs for the holistic, socio-psychological
recovery of the Maranaos.
In full support of this partnership is Atty. Falconi
Millar, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Secretary General,
who was present during the signing ceremony.
Millar also serves as Undersecretary of Task Force Bangon
Marawi—the inter-agency task force group of the government dedicated to the
recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi and other affected
localities.
“Much has been done by Task Force Bangon Marawi, yet much
is still left to be done,” said Millar. “In the evacuation centers, we have
1,248 families as of last week while in ground zero about 10, 000 families are
living there. There are about 12, 000 households who are currently home-based
living with relatives, however they still want to return to their households.
We are targeting the groundbreaking for the most affected area of Marawi for
the last week of June. We are working double time.”
The Undersecretary underlined that PDRF was one of the
first to send recovery teams to Marawi, and that with their partnership with
PCPPI he sees an evolution of responsible corporate citizenship in the private
sector.
“Everyone is being called to be a responsible corporate
citizen. In trying times like these it now becomes a duty of every corporation
to lend a helping hand,” Undersecretary Millar said.
The collaboration between PDRF, PCPPI, Task Force Bangon
Marawi and the Lanao del Sur government helps mobilize the next phase of
rehabilitation efforts in the war-stricken area, beginning with the need for
water.
"Water is a critical need and a fundamental
right," said Butch Meily, President of the PDRF. "It's been a year
since the siege of Marawi, and until now more than 70, 000 families still have
to live with the hardship brought about by the war. Today we are even more
determined to turn the tide by providing them with the water they direly
need."
The PDRF implements an eight-cluster system model for
private sector coordination aimed to provide a more robust platform for
collaboration and interoperability with key partners in disaster preparation,
response, and rehabilitation. PCPPI’s efforts fall under the Water and
Sanitation cluster.
"This project will benefit the 12 most affected areas
in Marawi, the biggest of which is Saguiaran," said Meily. "Community
consultations will continue to ensure the project's viability, accessibility,
and efficacy."
"Marawi has always been one of the key communities
that patronize and support our products and we have great stories of
partnerships with PCPPI built throughout the years. This is why when PDRF
approached us and asked for help to rehabilitate the city, we did not
hesitate," said PCPPI President, Samudra Bhattacharya. " By providing
access to clean water to the 12 evacuation sites, especially in this time of
Ramadan, we hope for a renewed determination for the residents to pursue the
rebuilding of the city."
Also at the event was Lanao Del Sur’s Provincial
Information Officer, Salma Jayne Alonto-Tamano. Millar reiterated the
government's relentless pursuit of rebuilding Marawi, returning it to its
vibrancy.
"With Pepsi and PDRF's partnership, it's evident that
a scarcity of care does not exist--they have answered the call to be responsible
corporate social citizens, with PDRF running toward the fire to lend a hand.
Today, we find Task Force Bangon Marawi isn't an organization; it's all of us
pitching in to help," said Meily.
"PCPPI's help will not only quench the thirst, wash the
hands and bodies of the affected community, but will also help them feel human
again," said Meily.
PDRF first worked with the bottling company last year for
the donation and installation of 1,000 gasera lights and 500 solar street lamps
in Marawi.
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