MARAWI CITY (PIA) — Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) chairman and Housing Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario on Laging Handa public briefing reaffirmed the commitment of the Task Force in completing the Marawi rehabilitation by December 2021 despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
An online meeting was held on June 3 wherein the implementing agencies provided updates on the progress of Marawi rehab projects.
“I had a video conference last Wednesday at ang nakaharap ko dito, lahat ng implementing agencies, pati si Mayor Majul Gandamra ng Marawi city, and I ask them regarding our timeline of December 2021. I was assured by all implementing agencies that we are on the right track still, despite itong nangyaring three months na di tayo nakapag trabaho masyado [of the 3 months wherein our movements are limited], said Del Rosario.
Del Rosario also said that the works on the rehab projects also continued despite the COVID-19 crisis.
“Continuous ang trabaho sa Marawi City kahit during the COVID, contrary sa mga batikos na tumigil din ang trabaho,” added Del Rosario.
[The work in Marawi City was still continuous amid COVID-19 contrary to the criticism that the work stopped.]
The chairman also said that the capacity of manpower was reduced since some laborers were not able to return due to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and the supplies which have undergone inventory before the ECQ were not able to enter.
With the release of the P3.56 billion budget for rehabilitation projects approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, the rehabilitation works are expected to go full blast starting July this year.
“Ngayon nagmomobilize na para magamit itong budget [Mobilization now starts to utilize the budget] to provide our contractors the capability to start construction. We are very confident that the Marawi rehab will be completed by Dec. 2021,” said Del Rosario.
Projects outside the most affected area of the city still continue. These include the construction of transitory and permanent shelters for the internally displaced persons and the construction of 18.97-kilometer Marawi Transcentral Road in Lanao Del Sur. (LELA/PIA ICIC)
