The ground-breaking ceremony for the planned hospital at the Sagonsongan Temporary Shelter site, the largest relocation area for war-torn Marawi City’s affected residents, was held Oct. 13. The health facility is a collaboration between the Makati Medical Center (MMC) Foundation, Solid Group, Inc., Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), US Philippines Society (USPS), Project Handclasp Foundation, MVP Tulong Kapatid CSR Council, military, and the local governments of Marawi and Lanao del Sur province. Meanwhile, officials visited over the weekend the damaged old capitol site of the city, which is proposed to become the military headquarters. Colonel Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., spokesperson of Task Force Ranao, said the site, located on top of a hill, provides a “commanding view” of ground zero and will be strategic in providing security for the investments that will be poured in for the rehabilitation program. The ground-breaking ceremony for the reconstruction is planned for Oct. 17.
