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Gov't vows good governance, sustainable dev't in Marawi rehab

By Lade Jean Kabagani

September 22, 2020, 6:11 pm

<p>Task Force Bangon Marawi chairperson and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo del Rosario. <em>(File photo)</em></p>

Task Force Bangon Marawi chairperson and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo del Rosario. (File photo)

MANILA – The government is pushing good governance and the establishment of a peaceful environment in Marawi City as it envisions the ongoing rehabilitation there as a "catalyst for growth and sustainable development," Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) chairperson, said on Monday.

Del Rosario, also the country's housing czar, said the goal of the government is to promote economic growth and efficient governance while rebuilding infrastructures destroyed during the siege in the city.

"This is our timeline. We are following a methodology. Let us all remember that the Marawi siege was from May 2017 to October 2017 for a period of almost six months. And immediately after that, we conducted early intervention activities from November to September of 2018," del Rosario said during a virtual press briefing with Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday.

Del Rosario cited the efforts of the TFBM and its 56 member-agencies involved in the rehabilitation process.

"And after that, we conducted the actual rehabilitation, which started with phase one, clearing of bombs and debris that started October 2018 until February of 2020. And after that, phase two started which is the construction of horizontal and vertical infrastructure in December 2019 and to be completed by December of 2021," he added.

Del Rosario said there have been various projects currently implemented within the city's less affected areas (LAA) and most affected areas (MAA).

"In the less affected area, we have already completed construction of PNP Compact 1 and the Marawi Fire substation and ongoing are the transitory shelters, Marawi Police Station, Salintubig Reservoir, correction facility, trans-central roads and permanent shelters which are all ongoing," he said.

Del Rosario added that the government already released some PHP22.24 billion out of the PHP60.5 billion indicative funding requirement for both LAA and MAA projects.

"In the most affected area, we have the following projects completed -- the Mapandi Bridge, Banggolo Bridge, and the Maritime Outpost," he said.

The government is now working on the construction of various infrastructure projects in the city, he said, including the Pumping Bridge, the Marawi Museum, the four-story building, the School of Living Tradition, the Peace Memorial Park, the Grand Padian Market, and the 24 barangay complexes.

Various projects are set to be completed by November and December this year, del Rosario added.

The TFBM is now constructing a total of 3,500 permanent shelters which will be completed by December 2021, he said.

Del Rosario noted that there have been various infrastructures inside the MAA which have been completed since 2019.

"On MAA infrastructure projects: the Mapandi Bridge, completed already as of June 18, 2019; Bangolo Bridge, completed December 9 of 2019; Pumping Bridge, it’s 79.8 percent complete but suspended because of road right of way issue and Maritime Outpost, completed last July of 2020," he said.

Del Rosario said the TFBM is also targeting to build barangay complex with health centers in 24 hard-hit barangays in the city, to ensure healthcare services are provided for Marawi residents.

Del Rosario said the TFBM and its member-agencies are working tirelessly to fulfill their mandate and to ensure that "Marawi will rise as a prosperous city again as promised by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the Maranaos."

He reiterated that the rehabilitation of Marawi City is on track and is set to be completed by the end of Duterte's term.

"That is our mandate and that is what we will do. As Chair of TFBM, together with the 56 implementing agencies that composed the Task Force Bangon Marawi," del Rosario said. (PNA)

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