Duterte wants low structures built in Marawi

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Christine Villas at Brgy. Maria Cristina in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte on February 28, 2018, expresses his gratitude and salutations to the soldiers who have risked their lives to maintain peace in the country. Also in the photo are National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs Arthur Tabaquero, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Chair Eduardo del Rosario. KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — With five big developers expressing interest to rebuild Marawi City, President Rodrigo Duterte gave his own suggestion not to overhaul high structures that snipers used during Marawi siege.

President Duterte made his recommendation during Wednesday’s inauguration of Phase 2 of a housing project for Marawi residents whose houses had been totally damaged by a five-month war last year.

“Do not overhaul the building because the sniper is hiding. That’s ridiculous,” Duterte said.

Duterte said Marawi has enough land to build low structures unlike in Metro Manila where the land is so expensive, forcing the developers to build high-rise buildings.

“So why do you have a contest on it. Right now, it’s not too expensive. So why did I say, ‘why there’s so much building here?’ That’s why those sniper snakes,” he explained.

Duterte said his administration is determined to pour money to rebuild and rehabilitate the war-torn Marawi City.

“Let’s try to build the Marawi at least in my time. I have three years and a half. I pour money here. You borrow. Then if you do not want to pay it ‘do not move there in Lanao del Norte,” he said.

Duterte reiterated his appeal for forgiveness for declaring martial law, saying he has do it to crash the Maute terrorists who attacked Marawi City in May 2017.

“It’s painful inside and I’m asking for a sincere —forgiveness. As I know it’s really going to hit this mess,” he told the Marawi residents.

The five-month Marawi siege had left over 1,000 people dead, including 168 government troops and 47 civilians, and displaced more than one million civilians.

According to Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), the crisis had resulted in PHP11.5 billion total damage and PHP6.7 billion total losses while amount needed for recovery and rehabilitation is PHP51.6 billion.

At least five big developers have expressed interest to submit unsolicited proposals to rebuild Marawi’s 250-hectare ‘most affected’ area.

The TFBM has yet to identify the developers but the contract will be awarded between the last week of April and first week of May.