OPENING STATEMENTS:

JOCSON: Thank you, Rocky. Good morning, Malacañang Press Corps. To give us updates on the Marawi situation, we have Asec. Kristoffer James Purisima, Deputy Administrator for Administration of the Office of Civil Defense.

ASEC. PURISIMA: Thank you. Good morning Malacañang Press Corps, here are the updates from your Task Force Bangon Marawi.

The site development at areas four extension, five and six of the transitional shelter site in Barangay Sagonsongan, Marawi City continues under the leadership of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

A private company has volunteered its expertise and resources to develop and deliver a water distribution system for the transitional shelter site in Barangay Sagonsongan.

The company has already found suitable locations for deep wells in areas three, four and five. And shown in the slide is a map of the deep well location for area three.

At the upper part of the photo, shown is the water tank location for area four. And next, shown in this photo is the deep well location for area five.

On business and livelihood, the Department of Trade and Industry continues with the distribution of sari-sari stores starter kits to selected IDPs. As of the latest report, beneficiaries in Iligan City in Balo-i, Lanao Del Norte have availed of the livelihood assistance.

The Information Management and Strategic Communication Support Group, through the Presidential Communications Operations Office has conducted its preliminary meeting for the first Mashwara Bangon Ranao Information and Serbisyo Caravan.

The information caravan will be part of the harmonization of activities subsumed in the IDP Return Plan.

The Marawi City Mayor presented the proposed IDP Return Plan in the — during the TFBM Executive Committee Meeting last Saturday, 21 October. The proposed phases of the IDP Return Plan are as shown.

Area clearing is ongoing, after the declaration of the military that PCNA teams may now enter cleared areas in the city.

The national government will continue to work with the Marawi City local government unit to come up with harmonized rehabilitation and recovery efforts, prioritizing the return of our IDPs to a better Marawi City.

That’s all for my updates.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Maricel Halili (TV-5): Hi, sir. Good morning. Sir, following the statement of Malacañang that it is possible that we may not — we will not accept any grants from the European Union, how will this affect the rehabilitation efforts in Marawi?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Of course, we’re — there are other donors ‘no. There are possible — other possible donors.

And in fact, the Finance and Resource Management Subcommittee is meeting as we speak in the Department of Finance to discuss the options that we have in terms of donations, and in terms of accepting grants ‘no.

We will, of course, exhaust all other possibilities and we are being also assisted by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank regarding this.

So we will come up with that plan and we will keep you updated, including the latest list of donors so far.

Ms. Halili: Pero, sir, hindi ba ‘to magiging setback in terms of the rehabilitation efforts?

ASEC. PURISIMA: I don’t think it will be a setback. We’ve been receiving pledges of support and we’ve been receiving support from many other sectors. And therefore we will be open to evaluating all their pledges and all the supports that they plan to give.

Pia Gutierrez (ABS-CBN): Good morning, Asec. Asec., meron na po ba tayong target na timeframe para po sa pagbalik ng mga IDPs?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Wala pang specific timeframe because the IDP Return Plan is still being refined ‘no, and is still being discussed.

Of course, this was presented, this is being proposed by the local government unit. But in terms of harmonization of efforts, the national government agencies through the Task Force is giving its inputs in this — in this — to this Return Plan. So it’s an evolving discussion.

But it will be soon. But we would not want to give a specific date as of now.

Ms. Gutierrez: Nabanggit na rin po before na merong problema, lalo na dun sa mga titulo ng lupa at sa pag-determination ng mga may-ari ng mga properties po sa Marawi. How would we plan to resolve this, sir?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Kasama ‘yan sa inaaral ng legal support group ng Task Force dahil ito ay napaka — kung tutuusin, napakalaking effort, dahil kailangan talaga nating malaman ‘yung metes and bounds so to say ng mga lupain diyan sa Marawi dahil alam natin na portions of that ay nasa under military reservation ‘no.

So lahat ‘yan pinag-aaralan ng Task Force through its legal support group and all the agencies involved. And merong ding Land Resource Management Subcommittee na ginawa ang Task Force para matulungan ang mabilis na pag-analyze at pag-resolve nitong problemang ito.

Ms. Gutierrez: Thank you, sir.

Rose Novenario (Hataw): Hi. Good morning, sir. Sir, baga — wala pang timeframe kung kailan makakabalik ‘yung mga bakwit doon sa kanilang mga lugar ‘no. Paano po ang gagawing proseso po ng — para makatiyak na ‘yung mga babalik po sa Marawi ay mga lehitimo pong mga residente roon at hindi po masisingitan, halimbawa po ng mga possible terrorists nanaman o kung ano — kung sino pa mang mga iligal na tao doon?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Diyan papasok ‘yung tinatawag natin na whole of government effort ng Task Force ‘no.

Una, nung nagsimula itong conflict na ito, ang ating DSWD para makapagbigay sila ng appropriate relief efforts ay sinurvey (survey) na nila ang mga residente ng Marawi, ang mga nasa evacuation centers, at ‘yung mga home-based.

Meron na silang nakuhang preliminary data. Mga pangalan nila at ang mga demographics, so to say.

So alam na natin ‘yung datos at ito ay available para i-evaluate din ng ating other national government agencies kasi kailangan ding ‘yang information na ‘yan sa business and livelihood, halimbawa, so may access diyan ang DTI at may access din diyan ang DOH, at lalong-lalo na, may access diyan ang local government unit.

At ito ‘yung sinisigurado natin na dahil consultative ‘yung proseso natin sa baba, sa Task Force at all inclusive, walang — lahat — maraming nakatutok dito sa impormasyon na ‘to.

So siyempre, ang nakakaalam diyan, primarily, ang local government unit ng Marawi at susuportahan siya ng DSWD at ng iba pang government agencies na kasama ng Task Force para siguraduhing lahat ng makakabalik ay mga lehitimong residente ng Marawi.

Ms. Novenario: Posible po bang magpatupad ng ID system doon?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Isa ‘yan sa mga proposals at pinag-aaralan ‘yan ‘no. Dahil ito naman ay para rin sa security ng ating mga IDPs, security ng ating mga kababayan.

Kaya’t lahat naman sisiguraduhin ng ating gobyerno para maging safe sila at ‘yung tamang pagtrato sa kanila ang mapairal.

Ms. Novenario: Habang umiiral po ba ito — ang martial law o kahit wala na pong martial law, posibleng magpatupad ng ID system?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Kasi ito, social welfare effort ito. Kung sakali man ituloy ito, kung sakali mang mapagdesisyunan na this is the best way moving forward in terms of rebuilding and rehabilitating the city, baka maaari itong ipatupad, ngunit wala pang final decision tungkol diyan.

Ngunit kahit naman matapos ang martial law, patuloy naman ang ating social welfare efforts sa ating mga kababayan at sisiguraduhin natin na appropriate ‘yung ibibigay nating basic services sa kanila.

Ms. Novenario: Thank you.

Jopel Pelenio (DWIZ): Sir, kasi karamihan ng mga bakwit na lilipat daw doon sa temporary shelter nababahala kasi wala silang mapagtatrabahuhan doon, wala silang hanap-buhay. Ano po ang ginagawa natin para sure na may pang matagalan sila na trabaho?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Patuloy ang pagsu-survey natin sa sitwasyon ‘no. In terms of the Business and Livelihood Subcommittee, pinag-aaralan nila na maglagay ng mga marketplaces hindi lamang doon sa transitional shelter sites ngunit sa mga sites na babalikan ng ating mga IDPs, sa city mismo.

So pinag-aaralan nila ‘yung mga business opportunities at livelihood opportunities na pwedeng ibigay sa ating mga IDPs, sa ating mga kababayan dahil ito’y continuing efforts.

At saka alam naman natin itong transitional shelter site ay transitional, temporary lamang, ngunit bibigyan pa rin natin sila ng sense of community dito sa transitional shelter site.

So nagpaplanong maglagay diyan ng marketplace, maaaring maglagay din diyan ng eskuwelahan at health center o medical center.

So lahat ng ito ay pinag-aaralan ‘no dahil maski pagbalik nila, kasi doon sa mga cleared barangays maaari nang — ‘pag napag-desisyunan na ng local government in conjunction or in coordination with the Task Force na pwede nang bumalik ang ating mga IDPs sa cleared barangays, siyempre bibigyan na natin sila ng basic and vital social services.

So kasama ito doon. Kasama ‘yung paglalagay ng appropriate livelihood interventions at appropriate health and educational interventions as well.

Ms. Novenario: Ay may nakalimutan ako, sir. Sir, kahapon nagbigay po ng ultimatum si Colonel Romeo Brawner sa — sa mga Maute na mag-surrender or baka may masamang mangyari sa kanila hanggang kaninang hating- gabi. Ano na po ‘yung balita natin dito dahil isang building na lang daw po ‘yung occupied ng terrorists at lahat daw po ng hostages ay na-rescue na?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Wala tayong specific information tungkol diyan ‘no. Ngunit inaasahan natin na pag-cleared na ng mga Maute itong itong battle area ‘no ay makakapagpo-proceed na tayo nang tuloy-tuloy dito sa ating post-conflict needs assessment.

So we’re just coordinating with our AFP, with our Armed Forces para malaman natin kung pwede na tayong pumasok sa iba pang areas ng Marawi City.

Ms. Novenario: Wala pa pong signal na pwede na kayong pumasok?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Wala pa ho akong nakuhang impormasyon as of now on that.

Ms. Novenario: Okay, thank you.

Ms. Gutierrez: Sir, recently the Department of Education has said na parang kailangan ng around P4 billion to rebuild ‘yung mga damaged educational centers or schools in Marawi, may iba pa po bang department na nagbigay na ng kanilang mga estimates, sir?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Meron ng mga estimates. In fact, meron ng estimates initially for the P5 billion that would be spent until the end of the year.

And I am sure that the departments and the other agencies that are part of the Task Force ay nagbibigay na rin ng estimates for next year ‘no — for the rebuilding phase next year.

At hindi ko lang sigurado kung ano ‘yung specific requests ng mga iba’t-ibang departments ngunit ‘yan ay pag-uusapan kasama sa pag-uusapan sa finance and resource mobilizations support group. At baka pinag-uusapan na nila ‘yun ngayon as they are meeting right now.

Ms. Gutierrez: Wala po pong nagbibigay ng figure, sir?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Meron na. Marami kasing figures na binibigay. Hindi lang natin alam kung saan siya ila-lump, whether sa P5 billion this year or sa P10 billion next year.

Ms. Gutierrez: But for the P5 billion, sir, na allotted for this year, ano ‘yung priority natin, sir, na pagkakagastusan?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Ang priority diyan ay ‘yung patuloy nating pagbibigay ng relief sa ating IDPs ‘no.

I think as proposed, a big chunk of the P5 billion allotted this year will still be for the relief efforts. Yes, for the relief efforts until the end of the year.

Ms. Gutierrez: So nothing permanent, sir?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well —

Ms. Gutierrez: For the P5 billion?

ASEC. PURISIMA: — nothing permanent in the sense na we’re still in the phase that we’re building the transitory shelters and that we’re still giving recovery interventions for our IDPs.

Pero patungo na tayo doon kasi ‘yung permanency naman na tinatawag natin ‘yan ay mangyayari kapag na-determine na ‘yung talagang pangangailangan sa Marawi after ng post-conflict needs assessment at kapag nagawa na ‘yung Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program, ‘yung CRRP.

Ms. Gutierrez: Sir, last na lang po. Can you give us an idea bakit ganoon kalaki po ‘yung ginagastos natin for relief efforts and gaano katagal tayo magbibigay ng — until when will we be giving relief to our IDPs?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well, in terms of until when, hangga’t kailangan nila magbibigay tayo diyan.

Siyempre it will shift one way or another kapag meron ng mga IDPs na nailipat na sa transitory shelter sites. So baka ibang form of relief na ‘yung ibibigay natin sa kanila.

Ngunit ‘yung mga nasa evacuation centers at ‘yung home-based siyempre hangga’t mayroong nangangailangan diyan, ipo-provide natin, ibibigay natin ‘yung mga relief na kailangan nila.

At dahil… As of last count, we have 72, 000 or so families and 359,000 individuals spread out ‘no in evacuation centers and home-based. So malaking requirement talaga ito in terms of relief efforts at patuloy natin itong ibinibigay sa kanila.

Mr. Pelenio: Sir, nabanggit niyo ho ‘yung P5 billion gagamitin for the end of December. So ibig sabihin, sir, tatapusin din po ‘yung transitional shelters within December?

ASEC. PURISIMA: ‘Yung matatapos — ang… Sa pagkakaalam ko ang target ng ating National Housing Authority ay magtayo ng 1,100 — at least 1,100 na transitional shelters within the year.

‘Yun ang target nila doon sa unang plano. Of course, this is subject to evaluation, this is subject to revisions ‘no as needed dahil ngayon minamadali na at tinatapos na ng DPWH ‘yung site development ng lahat ng transitional shelter sites. ‘Yung six ares diyan sa transitional shelter sites.

At pagkatapos no’n, itatayo na ‘yung ating transitional shelters at may itinatayo na namang transitional shelters ngayon at tuloy-tuloy ‘yan until the end of the year.

But I think the goal is to have at least 1, 100 transitional shelters by the end of the year.

Mr. Pelenio: So, ibig sabihin, sir, mga January may makakalipat na sa transitional —

ASEC. PURISIMA: Yes…

Mr. Pelenio:  — shelters?

ASEC. PURISIMA:  And depending on the recommendations kung mayroon ng certain areas na tapos na, pwede nang maglipat kahit unti-unti, kahit hindi naman — kahit hindi sabay-sabay doon sa 1,100.

Alexis Romero (Philippine Star): Asec Purisima, can you give us information about foreign groups that pledged donations to the Marawi efforts?

ASEC. PURISIMA: This is being compiled by our Finance and Resource Mobilization Support Group and we will release the list kapag na-compile na ito. Ngunit meron naman tayong mga foreign countries na nagbigay na.

Mr. Romero: Ilang example lang…

ASEC. PURISIMA: I do not recall the exact number at mahirap magbigay baka magtampo ‘yung mga nagbigay at hindi ko nasama sa bilang ‘no.

Mr. Romero: Hindi, sabihin na lang natin na ano, include…

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well, it includes — from what I remember, for example, Thailand gave, India gave, and other countries na nagbigay ng mga noong mga nauna pa including China — China also gave donations for that.

Mr. Romero: So nag-pledge itong mga ‘to, Asec?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well, in terms of pledges and in terms of actual donations, it will — I’ll leave it to the Finance and Resource Management Subcommittee to release that.

Mr. Romero: Okay. So ‘yung European countries, did they even offer?

ASEC. PURISIMA: In terms of the offer, wala akong information diyan. Baka sa ibang — diretso sila sa agencies nag-offer. So wala akong impormasyon diyan.

Mr. Romero: Okay, thank you, Asec.

Joseph Morong (GMA-7): Sir, you mentioned the rebuilding phase will start next year?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well, in terms… Well, next year dahil this year siyempre may clearing tayo, ang focus natin ‘yung transitional shelters at tapusin ‘yung PCNA at ‘yung CRRP, Comprehensive Rehab and Recovery Plan ‘no, and then — kasi next year that would require funding.

So kung — siyempre kung may maiwan doon sa P5 billion na pwede nang pagsimulan ng rebuilding, gagawin na natin ‘yun.

Ngunit kung nakalaan na itong P5 billion na ito for the initial proposals of certain government agencies na hindi pa ‘yung actual rebuilding, next year na ‘yung rebuilding ‘pag pasok na ‘yung funds for rebuilding next year.

Mr. Morong: You’re talking about the P10 billion —

ASEC. PURISIMA: The P10 billion proposed for next year from the NDRRM fund.

Mr. Morong: Sir, anong items ‘yung 5-B?

ASEC. PURISIMA: ‘Yung items ng 5-B, from what I remember DSWD for continuous relief efforts at kasama na rin dito ‘yung NHA, ‘yung pagtatayo ng transitional shelters. Kasama ‘yan doon sa 5-B.

Mr. Morong: Sir, anong assurance na this will not go the way of Yolanda rehab plans?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well, very transparent ang goal natin at lahat ng ating efforts ay ina-announce natin at mado-double check ninyo ito in terms of the progress of our projects. At the Finance and Resource Mobilizations Support Group will be releasing updates on that. So it will be very transparent at malalaman niyo ito.

Mr. Morong: Do we have enough — wala pa ‘yung DALA mo kasi October 27 ‘yung sabi niyo, sir —

ASEC. PURISIMA: Yes, the DALA of the initial barangays that are being assessed now, ang goal is to have it by this week ‘no, October 27.

So siyempre tatapusin pa ‘yan, initial findings ‘yan ‘no. Initial findings at ibabangga natin ‘yan with the findings for the remaining barangays of Marawi.

So — pero bibigyan ko kayo ng update once meron na tayong initial report on the DALA by October 27 or by next week at the least.

Mr. Morong: Just to fine-tune your data on the foreign governments. Those governments who have pledged to support the rebuilding ha, we are cutting out ‘yung — let’s put demarcation line. So sa rebuilding, sino ‘yung mga countries who have pledged support for the rebuilding?

ASEC PURISIMA: I will just wait for the financial resource…

Mr. Morong: But there are?

ASEC PURISIMA:  There are, I understand there are pledges but I do not have accurate information on that. So we will request the Finance and Resource Mobilization Support Group to release the data on that.

Mr. Morong: This is government to government or — foreign government to their aid agencies, kasi sa Yolanda ganun eh ‘di ba? ‘Di naman siya, halimbawa, Russia to the Philippines may mga ginagamitan na aid agencies?

ASEC. PURISIMA: I think both avenues are possible and I think both avenues can be explored for the rehabilitation, ibig sabihin G2G or through aid agencies. So we’ll — we’ll release the appropriate information on that.

Mr. Morong: If there are European countries who will pledge support for the rehab, will you accept?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well, the Task Force would have to make a decision on that in light of the pronouncement of our President.

Mr. Morong: Okay.

Mr. Pelenio: Sir, ‘yung sa transitional shelters, follow-up ulit ako dun. If ever, sir, na mai-distribute po ito sa mga bakwit, ano po ito babayaran o government ang aako? Babayaran ba ito ng mga bakwit?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Ang intindi ko hindi ito — hindi ito babayaran ‘no. Ito’y itinatayo ngayon ng ating NHA in coordination with our HUDCC, at ito ay may budget from the government.

So ito ay ibibigay sa kanila. Kasi transitional lang naman ito, dahil the end goal — and this would depend on the strategic plan moving forward, siyempre ibabalik pa rin sila sa Marawi.

JOCSON: Thank you. I will just read a statement from Presidential Spokesperson Abella.

On the drug rehabilitation partnership agreement by the Diocese of Novaliches, Quezon City, and the Philippine National Police:

The drug rehabilitation partnership agreement signed by the Diocese of Novaliches, Quezon City government, and the Philippine National Police for a community-based drug rehabilitation program in the Batasan area is a commendable move to pro-actively help the national government in the anti-illegal drug campaign.  It is hoped that this kind of partnership can be replicated by the PNP and other offices involved in the comprehensive anti-illegal drugs campaign with other Dioceses, as well as other churches and church groups in the country.

This kind of collaboration between the government and the Church is what our people expect, as indicated by a recent survey showing majority saying that the Catholic Church must help with the rehabilitation of drug addicts.

The complementary work of the government and the Church in the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents must further be enhanced, particularly in areas such as restoration of mental, spiritual, and psycho-emotional health.

That’s all.

Mr. Morong: Do you have anything to announce as far as the end of the war is concerned, ‘coz there’s this information that somebody will have to announce it at 12 noon?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well, I have no information on that.

Mr. Morong: Is the SND coming over?

Ms. Novenario: Hello, ma’am. Dahil po dito sa perceived na magand — gumagandang relasyon ng gobyerno sa Simbahang Katolika, i-encourage po ba natin ‘yung ibang religious groups na makipagtulungan din po sa anti-drug campaign ng gobyerno?

JOCSON: Ma’am, tulad po nung statement na binasa ko sinabi, “We hope that the — other dioceses as well and other churches and church groups in the country will follow what the diocese of Novaliches in Quezon City has done.”

Ms. Novenario: So ano — makakaasa po ba tayo nang medyo parang kakalma na po ‘yung pagbatikos ni Presidente sa Simbahang Katolika?

JOCSON: Ma’am, tungkol po diyan, eh hindi ko po masasagot ang impormasyon na ‘yan, pero bibigyan po namin kayo ng sagot mamayang hapon. Salamat po.

Mr. Morong: Sir, assuming, you know, that what we talked about is going to happen at 12. What — anong benefit nun sa — in terms of the efforts of the Task Force because there is now a declaration that, you know?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well, as — as we have always said once the areas are cleared of hostilities, then we will be able to proceed forward more expeditiously in the relief — in the rehabilitation and recovery of Marawi City.

So we’re just waiting for the all clear, for the clearing operations to be done and then we will proceed full swing with our PCNA.

Mr. Morong: And then the first things you have to do, can you be — can you describe to us? Paano papasok kayo doon and then what?

ASEC. PURISIMA: We will assess the area, block by block, building by building. We will look at — because the PCNA has a specific methodology, especially the DALA, the damage and loss assessment ‘no.

So we will really look comprehensively, pati ‘yung mga daan, pati ‘yung mga tulay, pati ‘yung basic services, pati ‘yung availability ng government resources doon sa area.

Lahat ‘yan titignan. Kung ilang ospital o clinics, o eskuwelahan, o public buildings ang nasira. At siyempre ilang mga bahay, private homes or private buildings ang nasira dahil kasama ito lahat sa Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program.

Mr. Morong: ‘Yung timeframe mo, sir, for assessing the damage, how many days are you giving that?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well, usually, ang DALA ay mga two weeks. Two weeks to a month, depending doon sa area ‘no.

At pagkatapos niyan gagawin ‘yung preliminary reports at ibabangga siya with the DALA for the outlying barangays at doon na gagawin ‘yung — doon na tatapusin ‘yung PCNA report, ‘yung comprehensive PCNA report.

At ito ay pag-aaralan ng ating Task Force at gagawa naman ang Task Force ng Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program.

Pero hindi tayo mag-aantay na matapos ‘yun. Lahat ng pwede nating gawing intervention, sa ngayon, ay ginagawa natin. Katulad ng transitional shelters kahit wala pa tayong comprehensive assessment sa damaged areas, gumagawa na tayo ng transitional shelter sites.

Kasi halimbawa, ‘pag nakita natin na may mga areas talaga na hindi na pwedeng balikan ng ating IDPs, for example, pwedeng ikonsidera na damihan pa ‘yung transitional shelters site dahil, halimbawa, matatagalan ‘yung rebuilding.

So ‘yan ‘yung sinasabi kong lahat ng ito ay subject to revision, subject to adjustment, kasi hindi pa talaga natin nakikita ‘yung area.

So ‘pag meron tayong nakitang area na pwedeng balikan, baka hindi na natin kailangang lakihan pa ‘yung transitional shelter site.

Kaya wala pang definite talaga ngayon na sagot para diyan.

— END —