By Genalyn Kabiling
The government is determined to protect the people of Marawi by building a military camp in the area following the deadly May 2017 siege.
A woman stands at her ruined house, after residents were allowed to return to their homes for the first time since the battle between government troops and Islamic State militants began on May 2017, at Marawi city, April 19, 2018. (REUTERS/Erik De Castro / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"President Duterte reiterated his interest to establish a military camp in the Islamic City before his term ends to better protect the City as well as the country,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement Tuesday.
The planned military camp and other rehabilitation efforts in Marawi were among the issues discussed during the Cabinet meeting convened by the President in Malacañang Monday.
"On the rehabilitation of Marawi City, Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) shared its accomplishments,” Panelo said.
Back in January 2018, the President led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new military camp in Marawi City to protect the people and thwart a repeat of the terror attack. The new military camp, which will serve as the headquarters of a Philippine Army battalion, is expected to be completed in 2020.
Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chair Eduardo del Rosario recently said the government is on track to complete the rehabilitation program of war-torn Marawi City, now known as "The Rise Plan," by December 2021.
RISE stands for resiliency, identity, sustainability and evolution.
He expressed hope the debris management in Marawi's most affected areas would be completed by August or September. Afterwards, the construction of roads, school buildings, barangay halls, the convention center, and other infrastructure projects will begin.
The government earlier pegged the total rehabilitation cost of war-torn Marawi at P67.9 billion, including P17 billion for the most affected areas covering 24 barangays.