Marawi rehab task force renews commitment to city's rebuilding efforts


Four years after the war that devastated the city, Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) head Human Settlements Secretary Eduardo del Rosario assured residents of the war-torn city that they remain committed to Marawi's full rehabilitation.

Human Settlements Secretary Eduardo del Rosario (RTVM Screenshot)

Del Rosario made the statement a week after the country marked the fourth year of the start of the Marawi Siege on May 23.

In a radio interview with Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Del Rosario assured Marawi residents that the TFBM remained committed to the instruction of President Duterte that the city will rise again.

"We would like to see Marawi rise again as a prosperous city. Iyon po ang instruction ng ating Presidente (That is the instruction of the President)," he said.

"Iyan po ang aming mandato mula sa akin hanggang pinakamababang miyembro ng Task Force Bangon Marawi (That is the mandate of the TFBM from me to the lowest member in the hierarchy)," he added.

Del Rosario said that TFBM will do its best to fulfill the promise of the President to restore Marawi within his term.

"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.

Last week, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque expressed confidence that the rehabilitation of the war-torn city of Marawi can be completed by June next year despite delays.

"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)," he 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.

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.

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.