MANILA, Philippines – Residents displaced by the Marawi crisis can expect more aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for two months upon return to their homes.

According to the agency’s Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DREAM-B), the continuing relief is part of their intervention for early recovery.

Families will receive two types of family packs, with each pack expected to last for two days. The DSWD will distribute these in bulk, enough for two weeks.

Set A includes 6 kilograms (kg) of rice, 4 cans of corned beef, 4 cans of sardines, and 4 packs of coffee. The other set also has 6 kg of rice with 1 kg of monggo beans, 200 grams (g) dried fish, 250 g rock salt, 200 g turmeric powder, 500 g sugar, and 50 g instant coffee.

Once residents are allowed to go back to Marawi City, they will also receive P4,000 in cash from the DSWD. This is part of the P5,000 the government earlier promised to the displaced residents. P1,000 of this amount was given in advance for the celebration of the end of Ramadan last June 26.

All evacuees will receive DSWD aid – those who stayed in evacuation centers and those who fled to homes of relatives or friends.

DREAM-B will also hire the displaced residents for its cash-for-work program. For a maximum of 30 days, depending on the budget available, workers will be paid P200 daily (P150 from the DSWD and P50 from the local government) to join clearing operations in the war-torn city.

The DSWD co-heads Task Force Bangon Marawi’s subcommittee on health and social welfare with the Department of Health (DOH). The DSWD is in charge of food and basic necessities while the DOH should cover medical supplies and potable water for the returnees. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) heads the subcommittee on business and livelihood. It is conducting an assessment of post-conflict damage and needs. (READ: Duterte creates task force in charge of Marawi rehab)

After nearly 5 months of clashes between government troops and terrorists, President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Tuesday, October 17, that the city had already been “liberated.”

Operations continue, however, to flush out what the military calls “stragglers” in the battle zone. About 20 hostages also remain. (READ: The life of a Maute hostage in Marawi)

Evacuees are expected to return to their homes once authorities have declared that the area is free of terrorists and explosives. (READ: Lawmaker wants Marawi rehabilitation commission) – Rappler.com