Marawi rehab 60% complete – task force

MANILA, Philippines — The rehabilitation of Marawi is more than halfway done,  according to Task Force Bangon Marawi chairman Eduardo del Rosario.

“When I was here last month, I said it was around 45 to 50 percent (completed)... Based on the latest presentation and our inspection of ongoing projects, it’s now between 55 and 60 percent,” Del Rosario said after meeting with representatives of the implementing agencies leading the rehabilitation works.

He said the completion of road networks can be expected by the end of September, citing his consultation with the contractor of the project.

“We aim to complete the road networks first so that returning residents who want to reconstruct their houses can travel unhampered,” Del Rosario said.

“As early as last year, we have been encouraging residents, especially those residing in Sectors 1 to 3, to obtain building permits from the LGU (local government unit) so they can start rebuilding their homes,” he said.

Del Rosario said the construction of 438 permanent housing units in Barangay Patani is expected to be completed by December as assured by the United Nations Human Settlements Program and the Social Housing Finance Corp.

At least 3,000 permanent housing units intended for internally displaced persons will also be constructed.

Del Rosario said the refurbishment of the Grand Mosque, which was severely damaged during the 2017 siege, is expected to be finished by October.

“Let’s peg the completion of all our projects by December... Some projects will be completed earlier than expected. Some... by the third quarter of the year, but a majority will be completed in the last quarter,” Del Rosario said.