Minister for Economic Affairs attends the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Project for Community Development through Building Shelters and Livelihood Support for Rebuilding Marawi

1. On February 4, Economic Minister Makoto Iyori attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the “Project for Community Development through Building Shelters and Livelihood Support for Rebuilding Marawi” in Barangay Dulay West, Marawi City. From the Philippine side, Assistant Secretary Felix Castro of Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), President Arnolfo Cabling of the Social Housing and Financing Corporation (SHFC), and Mayor Gandamra of Marawi City joined the ceremony. Mr. Christopher Rollo, Country Programme Manager of UN-Habitat Philippines also attended the ceremony.
 
2. The provision of 1,500 permanent shelters, community infrastructure, and livelihood support worth 500 million pesos, is based on the exchange of notes that was signed between the Government of Japan and UN-HABITAT in March 2018. Japan’s grant supports UN-Habitat’s program to provide core shelters and livelihood support for those affected by the Marawi incident.
 
3. Minister Iyori stated that he is“confident that the hard work and perseverance of the people, combined with the resilience of the Filipino spirit, will pay off and provide the people of Marawi and Lanao del Sur opportunities for the dynamic future that they deserve.” ASec. Castro expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support for the rehabilitation of Marawi, pointing out that this project is just one of many, including grant assistance to develop roads, the provision of 27 heavy machineries, and additional assistance in the field of vocational training.  
 
4. The joint statement issued in October 2017 during a summit meeting between President Duterte and Prime Minister Abe states that “the Government of Japan recognizes that rehabilitation and reconstruction of the City of Marawi and its surrounding areas is extremely important for the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, and will extend the utmost support towards that end.”  The ceremonial groundbreaking for Marawi rehabilitation is an embodiment of the joint statement.