Progress Report for Marawi Activities, April – September 2018: Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project

The project's primary focus was on strengthening urban resilience for growth with equity. Key accomplishments during this period include the initiation of convergence of reconstruction activities for water and sanitation. A series of meetings was organized with institutions involved in Marawi City's water and sanitation restoration activities to discuss emerging concerns and common areas of collaboration. The SURGE Project collaborated with national government agencies, including the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Department of Interior and Local Government's Salintubig Program (DILG Salintubig), National Housing Authority (NHA), and Department of Health (DOH). International organizations, such as Action Against Hunger (AAH) and Asian Development Bank (ADB), were also linked with the project. The consistent coordination with these institutions resulted in collaborative strategies, particularly in creating a convenor that will organize and lead the discussion on water and sanitation concerns. Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) issued a resolution creating the Technical Working Committee for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (TWC-WASH), with LWUA as the lead. The SURGE Project gained recognition from this effort, including a request from the TWC-WASH to be its secretariat. The project also facilitated the turnover of cash assistance from General Santos City government to Marawi City government for the construction of community toilets with septic tanks. The local government of Marawi City affirmed to coordinate with the City Health Office (CHO) and local Imams for the identification of the project site. The SURGE Project will support the city in the design and cost estimation of a standard facility and septic tank. Geophysical tests were conducted to locate potential groundwater sources at the Sagonsongan Transitory Shelter in Barangay Sagonsongan, Marawi City. The results showed that there are potential water sources in three shelter site areas. The results will be shared with LWUA, who will use the PhP40 million allocation from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) for the water supply construction activities in the shelter site. Data collection for the formulation of a mini masterplan for the expansion of water services was completed for 15,654 residents of Barangays Banga, Biaba – Damag, Cabingan, Cadayonan, Dimalna, Lomidong, and Rapasun MSU. The results showed that about half of the surveyed households use private wells as their source of water, and more than 70 percent confirmed that they have septic tanks with water-sealed toilets. The SURGE Project engaged various stakeholders for water and sanitation activities, including the Marawi City Water District (MCWD), which is a key player in all water restoration and reconstruction activities. The project's capacity development and technology transfer activities will involve the City Health Office (CHO) and General Services Office (GSO).