Marcos wants faster rehab efforts for Marawi

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday tasked the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation (OPAMR) to fast-track the rehabilitation efforts in war-torn Marawi City, especially the electricity, water, and housing. 

During a sectoral meeting at Malacañang Palace, Marcos said the government should find better ways to improve the rehabilitation efforts. He gave the instruction to OPAMR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman Sr., who briefed him about the agency’s Marawi rehabilitation projects.

“You seem to have solutions to most of the issues. ‘Yun na lang, ‘yung installation of the power, and I think, more importantly, ‘yung tubig. We have to get that done as quickly as possible,” Marcos said.

Pangandaman said there was a delay in the implementation of the Bulk Water Supply Project by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) due to legal challenges.

However, he added, the LWUA has committed to finish the project within four months or before the end of 2024. 

Marcos also stressed the need to immediately address issues concerning the shelters for residents affected by the Marawi siege.

The Presidential Communications Office said that the previous administration had an agreement with some private landowners to temporarily use their property for five years pending the construction of permanent shelters for the siege victims.

However, the contract has already lapsed, according to Pangandaman. 

The President then tasked him to ask the private landowners if they could extend the contract to accommodate the victims. 

Pangandaman responded that the agency would work closely with the local government unit.

Marcos said in August 2023 that a total of P1 billion had been set aside for the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Program in the proposed 2024 national budget.

The Maute Group invaded the city in May 2017, an assault that lasted for several months. 

Then-President Rodrigo Duterte declared the city freed from the group's occupation in October of the same year. — BM, GMA Integrated News