Japan turns over heavy equipment for Marawi

Philippine government officials inspect heavy equipment turned over by Japan during ceremonies in Marawi City on March 15.—MALACAÑANG PHOTO

DAVAO CITY — The Japanese government on Thursday turned over to Philippine officials 27 pieces of heavy equipment that Japan donated for the rehabilitation of Marawi City, which was all but reduced to rubble during the war on Islamic State (IS) followers there.

Philippine officials, led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, also received from Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda at least 26 utility vehicles donated by Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi Motors.

These would be for humanitarian efforts in Marawi.

P1-billion pledge

Villar said the pieces of heavy equipment donated by Japan would augment machinery that the Department of Public Works and Highways  had already prepared for use once the rehabilitation program starts.

It was not clear, though, if the donated equipment was already part of Japan’s P1-billion pledge for the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

Assistant Housing Secretary Felix Castro, field office manager of the Task Force Bangon Marawi, said representatives of local government units and displaced residents would be involved in finalizing the rehabilitation plan for Marawi.

US donation

Earlier, the US government gave P100 million for the purchase of food for Marawi’s displaced residents.

US Ambassador Sung Kim said the donation would enable World Food Programme to purchase 1,800 metric tons of rice for up to 45,000 people for four months.

Emmanuel Leyco, officer in charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, said beneficiaries would each receive 50 kilograms of rice monthly for four months.

“The average income of displaced individuals dropped by 40 percent, which means that families simply cannot afford food,” said Kim. —Reports from Allan Nawal, Divina Suson and Matthew Reysio-Cruz