President Duterte ordered Task Force Bangon Marawi to hurry up completing the rehabilitation of the war-torn city so families affected by the war four years ago can finally return home.
Duterte made the statement during his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 26.
In his speech, the President said the government's five-month fight against ISIS-inspired terrorists in Marawi, Lanao del Sur was proof that lawlessness will not prevail.
"Our victory in Marawi is also a testament of how the Filipino's' patriotism is far stronger than any extremist group," he said.
"I have said before, many times, there is no room for lawlessness in this country," he added.
However, Duterte recognized that there was still a long way to go before the complete rehabilitation of the city was realized.
"Rebuilding a better Marawi remains today, still, not completed," he said.
"To Task Force Bangon Marawi, we need to race against time, and you have to finish the necessary work to rehabilitate the war-torn city and bring its families back home," he added.
Marawi City was the battleground of the five-month war between pro-ISIS terrorists and the government. The country will commemorate the fourth year of its liberation from the terrorists on October 23.
In May this year, Malacañang expressed confidence that the rehabilitation of the war-torn city of Marawi can be completed by the end of President Duterte's term.
"Ang pangako po ng Presidente babangon muli po ang Marawi at ang pangako po niya ay sa kanyang termino (The President promised that Marawi will rise again and that it will happen within his term)," Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.
"We have roughly a year bago po matapos ang termino ng Presidente (before the term of the President ends) and I think the target can be met-- that Marawi can be completely rebuilt at the end of the term of the President," he added.
Task Force Bangon Marawi head Housing Secretary Eduardo del Rosario assured residents of the war-torn city that they remain committed to Marawi's full rehabilitation.
"Our commitment to Marawi is always first priority and we will do the best we can to ensure that the rehabilitation will be completed within the term of our beloved President," he said.
In October last year, President Duterte told residents of Marawi that rehabilitating the war-torn city was not an easy task, especially with issues beyond terrorism that were yet to be resolved.
He, however, assured them that the government was already working on rebuilding Marawi and that they will continue spending the funds allocated for it.