Marawi task force saddened by firing of housing exec

MANILA, Philippines — Officials of Task Force Marawi are saddened, but not let down, by President Duterte’s decision to fire Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) secretary-general Falconi Millar for alleged corruption.

“We regret hearing the news today on the termination of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council secretary-general Falconi Millar whom we closely worked with in Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) as its secretariat head,” the Task Force said in a statement sent to the Malacañang Press Corps.

They issued the statement after Duterte announced he was firing Millar.

On Wednesday, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo stressed that the President’s order takes effect immediately.

“We assure the public that the delivery of public services shall unimpededly continue, especially in rehabilitating Marawi City and other affected areas,” Panelo said.

Speaking at an event in Tanza, Cavite on Thursday, Duterte confirmed that he had signed Millar’s dismissal before leaving Malacañang earlier.

“When you are there… you have the power. You have the authority, you can do corruption and it can corrupt you,” Duterte said.

Millar, however, denied the corruption allegation.

Task Force Bangon Marawi, which is spearheading rehabilitation efforts in Marawi, said it would continue its mandate of making Duterte’s vision for a better Marawi come true.

“However, we will not let this issue distract our continuing efforts to rehabilitate the city of Marawi. Debris management in the most affected area has been ongoing since the groundbreaking at the end of October, with the developer, FINMAT International Resources Inc. already on board,” the Task Force said.

TFBM said the activities will continue as planned even with Millar’s relief.