Marawi rehab on track, to be completed within PRRD’s term: TFBM

Del Rosario, also the country’s housing czar, said various infrastructure projects within Marawi’s most affected areas (MAA) have already started and still on progress. (File Photo: Task Force Bangon Marawi/Facebook)

MANILA – The government assured that the rehabilitation of the war-torn Marawi City is on track and will be completed within the term of President Rodrigo Duterte, Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) chairman, Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, said Friday.

“As committed, the rehabilitation of government infrastructures in Marawi City will be completed within the term of our President. That is his order and that will be done,” del Rosario said in a statement.

He was reacting to Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman’s remarks over the lack of mention of the Marawi rehabilitation during Duterte’s State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) last Monday.

Del Rosario, also the country’s housing czar, said various infrastructure projects within Marawi’s most affected areas (MAA) have already started and still on progress.

The reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts could be finished on the targeted deadlines, he added.

“In fact, we are on track. We are on target to finish most, if not all, public infrastructures by December 2021 as embodied in our Master Development Plan,” he said, reiterating that the “full-scale construction works have already started July on various major projects” amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Del Rosario said various implementing agencies under the TFBM are now carrying out measures to hasten projects and meet the respective timelines assigned to them.

He said the government is now working to put up public structures inside Marawi’s MAA which include the Grand Padian Central Market, Marawi City Museum, and Peace Memorial.

“The TFBM is set to construct Marawi City Fire Station and a four-story 20-classroom Integrated School–all within MAA,” he said.

The government will also put up health centers and madrasah (Islamic schools) each for the 24 barangays that are less affected areas during the Marawi siege, he added, noting that some economic activities outside MAA have been improved.

“I just visited MAA last July 15 and 16 and I saw for myself the ongoing full-scale construction works. So, I can assure the good congressman that the rehabilitation is on track,” Del Rosario said in response to Hataman’s concern about Marawi rehabilitation.

Del Rosario dared Hataman to visit Marawi City.

“I urge Congressman Hataman to go to Marawi City to see for himself our ongoing efforts within the MAA that started immediately after the easing down of the quarantine.”

In an earlier interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, Hataman feared that the reconstructions in the city “might be forgotten” if it will not be completed within Durterte’s term.

Marawi will rise again

Meanwhile, del Rosario defended Duterte’s strong desire to help the residents affected by siege and to ensure that “Marawi will rise again”.

“Proof of that commitment is our President’s approval last April and May of the release of PHP3.56 billion to the implementing agencies to fast-track the rehabilitation,” he said.

The TFBM was created under Administrative Order No. 3 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 28, 2017, to ensure collaboration and convergence among national agencies and the local government units.

TFBM facilitates the rehabilitation, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in the war-torn city after the Islamic State-linked Maute group stormed Marawi on May 23, 2017. It also seeks to help displaced families to recover from the tragedy brought by the siege.