TASK FORCE BANGON MARAWI FB PAGE
THE NATIONAL task force handling the restoration of war-ravaged Marawi City in the southern Philippines said reconstruction of public infrastructure is now 65% complete and on track for completion before President Rodrigo R. Duterte steps down in 2022.
“Since we started with the vertical and horizontal infrastructure for the rehabilitation of Marawi City last year, it is now 65% complete,” Secretary Eduardo D. del Rosario, chair of Task Force Bangon Marawi, told a televised news briefing in a mix of English and Filipino.
Mr. Del Rosario, who also serves as the country’s housing minister, added: “We are on track with our stated deadline of December of the year that 100% of all our ongoing projects will be completed.”
Mr. Del Rosario last year told lawmakers that the state had already released about P22 billion for the rebuilding of the city, which was left in ruins after a five-month clash between government troops and Daesh-inspired local extremists that began on May 23, 2017.
Presidential Spokesman Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr. said national officials would visit Marawi by next month to check on the status of the beleaguered city.
Over the weekend, various local civil society groups lambasted the government for its failure to address the needs of displaced residents. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza