MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte reorganized Task Force Bangon Marawi two weeks after the liberation of the city, appointing the housing czar as the head of the rehabilitation efforts.
Signed on October 27, Administrative Order 9 amended Administrative Order 3, which created an inter-agency task force last July to take charge of the recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi
“There is a need to re-organize Task Force Bangon Marawi in order to reflect the government’s current priority to rebuild and develop the settlement areas affected by the armed conflict,” the new order reads.
Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council head Eduardo Del Rosario, a retired Army general, was designated as the chairperson of the task force.
Del Rosario will have the operational control and supervision of the task force and the overall responsibility to ensure that the objectives of the order are accomplished.
During the media briefing before departing to Japan Sunday night, Duterte said all cabinet secretaries will report to Del Rosario on matters concerning Marawi rehabilitation.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who was previously the task force head, will serve as vice chairperson alongside Public Works Secretary Mark Villar.
Moreover, the new order designated HUDCC to take charge of the Sub-Committee on Housing, replacing the Office of the Cabinet Secretary.
HUDCC will be primarily responsible for the immediate rehabilitation and construction of temporary or permanent shelters and the restoration of water, electricity and other public utilities.
The Sub-Committee on Peace and Order will now be co-headed by the Department of National Defense and Department of the Interior and Local Government.
The two agencies will be responsible for the restoration and maintenance of peace and order and the continuity of public services in the city.
Duterte declared the liberation of the war-torn Marawi last Oct. 17, signaling the beginning of rehabilitation.
Military operations have cost P5 billion and the government estimates it could cost 10 times that much to rebuild Marawi.
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