29 C
Philippines
Thursday, October 10, 2024

12:41 PM

29 C
Philippines
Thursday, October 10, 2024

12:41 PM

TFBM: Marawi rehab on track amid COVID19 pandemic

MARAWI CITY (PIA) – As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to gain its foothold in the country, Task Force Bangon Marawi  (TFBM) chairperson Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said the timeline for the Marawi rehabilitation remains on track.

Del Rosario gave this assurance during the Senate hearing of the committees on finance and economic affairs on Friday.

During the senate hearing, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa asked if the COVID-19 crisis has affected the target completion of rehabilitation projects in Marawi City.

“Hindi ba apektado yung budget ninyo particularly sa 2020 budget natin? Wala bang nabawas doon o narealign para sa response natin sa COVID-19?,” asked Dela Rosa, chair of the Senate Special Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation.

(Is your budget, particularly the 2020 budget, not affected? Has nothing been reduced from it or realigned for the response to COVID-19?)

“Actually yung pondo para sa Marawi rehabilitation ay wala tayong pagbabago (There are no changes as for the funds for Marawi rehabilitation). With regards to the timeline, we will inform and coordinate with our implementing agencies and their contractors that they have to double [their] time so that the timeline can be preserved and we can complete the rehabilitation by December 2021,” said Del Rosario.

Dela Rosa further asked if the timeline is still attainable despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Yes, we can meet the target,” assured Del Rosario.

Following the approval of a P3.56-billion budget for rehabilitation projects approved by President Rodrigo Duterte,  Del Rosario said in a video message that “the implementing agencies can now focus on their timelines and carry out appropriate measures to hasten the completion of their projects.”

 He also said that the rehabilitation works are expected to go full blast starting July this year. (LELA/PIA ICIC)