Marcos creates office for speedy Marawi rehab, development

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has ordered the creation of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation and Development (OPAMRD) with the aim to ensure the speedy rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City and nearby localities.

This, as Marcos issued Executive Order No. 78 creating the OPAMRD. The said office will be led by the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation (PAMR) under the control and supervision of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP).

“The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation and Development (OPAMRD) is hereby created to integrate, coordinate, and accelerate the implementation of all government PAPs related to the rehabilitation, development, and restoration of peace, and order in Marawi City and other affected localities,” the EO read.

Among the OPAMRD’s functions include advising the President on all matters regarding the rehabilitation, development, and restoration of peace in Marawi City; overseeing, monitoring, coordinating, and harmonizing all strategies, programs and projects; and coordinating with concerned LGUs in the implementation of programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) related to Marawi City rehabilitation and development.

The said EO also indicated the need to monitor the implementation of Presidential directives or priorities for the rehabilitation, development, and restoration of peace in Marawi City.

It also directed the submission of a biannual report to the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary and OSAP, on the status of the implementation of the President’s order.

Marcos further encouraged relevant departments, agencies, bureaus, offices, and concerned LGUs and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to provide full and timely assistance and cooperation to the OPAMRD to ensure its effective implementation.

To recall, Marawi suffered severe damage after the war started on May 23, 2017 and went on for five months before government forces proclaimed victory against the members of Maute Group.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte declared the city's liberation on October 17 of that year.

In a separate statement, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the creation of the OPAMRD will be a huge benefit to Marawi city.

“While progress has been made, challenges remain, including delays in the completion of key infrastructure projects, the provision of permanent housing and the restoration of livelihoods. The establishment of OPAMRD addresses these issues by creating a central authority to harmonize government efforts and ensure that all programs align with the needs of affected communities,” he said.

“The people of Marawi deserve a rehabilitation process that is efficient, transparent and inclusive. By creating OPAMRD, President Marcos has ensured that these objectives are prioritized,” he added.

The Speaker then called for the  participation of local stakeholders, the private sector and civil society, saying their voice is critical to the success of OPAMRD.

“We must involve the people of Marawi every step of the way. Their voices, their aspirations, and their experiences must shape the path forward,” he said.

“The rehabilitation of Marawi is not just about rebuilding structures. It is about restoring dignity, hope, and opportunity to our fellow Filipinos. Let us work together to ensure that Marawi’s story becomes one of triumph,” he added.

Romualdez also assured the public that the House of Representatives would allocate the necessary resources and enact any needed legislation to bolster OPAMRD’s efforts.

Back in January this year, the President also issued Administrative Order (AO) 14 ordering the speedy rehabilitation of war torn Marawi City.

AO 14 repealed AOs 3 and 9 which date back to 2017, disbanding the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) last March 31, 2024.

Back in May 2021, then presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the rehabilitation of Marawi City will be finished within the term of then President Duterte. 

Duterte’s term expired on June 30, 2022.—with a report from Llanesca Panti/VAL/AOL, GMA Integrated News