President Duterte has assured the residents of Marawi that the government is doing its best to finish the rehabilitation of the war-torn Islamic city.
Duterte made the statement as he led the commemoration of the fourth anniversary of the liberation of Marawi City from terrorist influence at the Rizal Park in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
In his speech, the President commended the Task Force Bangon Marawi as well as the local officials and other partners for working together to rehabilitate the city.
He especially lauded their efforts and sacrifices of the stakeholders in completing the rehabilitation of the Grand Mosque of Marawi.
"This place holds historical and cultural significance in the lives of the Maranaos. We rejoice as a nation as the Grand Mosque of Marawi brings hope anew to our Muslim brothers and sisters," he said.
"You have stayed true to your commitment as agents of progress and catalyst for real change," he added.
Duterte likewise told the residents that the government is doing its best to expedite the completion of rehabilitation projects at the soonest possible time.
"We in government are strongly committed to bring back the city's glory and we will continue to foster cooperation among concerned stakeholders so that Marawi will be able to build back better and stronger," he said.
President Duterte said that his administration remains steadfast in securing the country against terrorism, violent extremism, and other lawless violence.
"With your support, I am confident that we will overcome any challenge that will test our unity as a nation," he said.
"Let us, therefore, continue working as one to secure a better, safer, and more prosperous future for all of Marawi," he added.
Marawi City was the battleground of a five-month war between pro-ISIS terrorists and government forces in 2017. The country will commemorate the fourth year of its liberation from terrorist occupation on Oct. 17.
In his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 26, the President ordered Task Force Bangon Marawi to speed up the rehabilitation of the city so families affected by the war four years ago can finally return home.
"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.
Last May, Malacañang expressed confidence that the rehabilitation of Marawi can be completed by the end of President Duterte's term.
The Chief Executive will step down from office on June 30, 2022.