Electricity, water supply, and housing woes in Marawi City need to be addressed "as quickly as possible," President Marcos said as he ordered to expedite the rehabilitation efforts in the war-torn city.

In a sectoral meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 1, Marcos directed the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation (OPAMR) to fast-track its rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City, saying the government should find better ways to accelerate the rehabilitation of the city.

"You seem to have solutions to most of the issues. Yun na lang, yung (That's all, the) installation of the power, and I think, more importantly, yung tubig (the water supply). We have to get that done as quickly as possible,” Marcos said.

"Wala tayong magagawa ‘pag walang (We cannot do anything if there is no) water supply. Yung brownout, you can live with it. Yung walang tubig, hindi talaga (If there's no water, you really cannot do anything)," Marcos pointed out.

According to OPAMR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman Sr., there was a delay in the implementation of the Bulk Water Supply Project by the local water utilities administration (LWUA) due to legal challenges.

He added that the issue is already being addressed by the government, noting that the LWUA has committed to finish the project within four months, or before the end of 2024.

The President also stressed the need to immediately address issues concerning shelters for residents affected by the Marawi siege.

The previous administration had an agreement with some private landowners to temporarily use their property for five years, pending the construction of permanent shelters for Marawi siege victims, but the contract has already lapsed, according to Pangandaman.

With this, Marcos ordered Pangandaman to ask the private landowners if they could extend the contract to accommodate the victims.

Marcos also said that now is the right time for the administration to adopt a more systematic approach to the Marawi rehabilitation efforts, following the issuance of Administrative Order 14, series of 2023.

The AO institutionalized the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City and streamlining of the functions of implementing government agencies involved.