President Marcos said the new Marawi City Hospital must be fully operational by August, as part of his administration’s continuing efforts to rebuild critical infrastructure in the city nearly eight years after the 2017 siege.

“We are giving the contractors and all of the government agencies a deadline of August na mabuksan na ‘yung hospital para makapag-serbisyo na sa taumbayan (for the hospital to open so it can serve the people),” he said during his inspection of various facilities in Marawi City on Monday, June 23.

“Pagka nabuksan na yung ospital, halimbawa, eh babalik na ako rito para (Once it’s opened, for example, I will return because) I want to ribbon cut by August,” he added.

The 100-bed primary care hospital will help address the need for accessible medical services in the city.

Marcos emphasized the importance of power supply for the facility, saying the government is working to ensure it is equipped with a standby generator, a requirement of the Department of Health.

“Ang ospital talagang kailangan – kahit may brownout kailangang patakbuhin yung mga makina (A hospital really needs to keep equipment running even during brownouts),” he said.

The President also cited progress in restoring basic utilities, noting that coordination with the Department of National Defense has allowed access to land within military camps for developing a new water supply system.

Marcos also inspected a new permanent school facility expected to accommodate up to 10,000 learners. He said construction is nearly done, with only the perimeter fence left to install.

“Iyong pangalawang pinuntahan natin ‘yun ang bago (The second site we visited is the new one). That will be able to house up to 9,000, almost 10,000 students doon sa mga bagong building (in the new buildings),” he said.

“Malapit nang matapos, kaunti na lang… puwede nang dalhin yung mga bata doon (It’s almost finished, just a little more… the children can already be moved in),” he added.

Earlier in the day, Marcos also toured Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) in Barangay Sagonsongan, where about 720 students across five schools continue to attend classes while waiting for permanent facilities. The TLS program was launched after the siege to ensure education continuity.

As part of his visit, Marcos donated Starlink internet units to the TLS and four other schools in remote parts of Marawi: Bangon Elementary School, Bacarat National High School, Angoyao National High School, and Cabasaran Primary School.

He likewise led the distribution of school bags filled with supplies to all TLS enrollees.

The TLS is an emergency education initiative launched in the aftermath of the 2017 Marawi siege. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the TLS provides makeshift classrooms in areas where school buildings were destroyed or remain inaccessible due to conflict.

“These learning spaces are constructed using tents, modular structures, or repurposed buildings and are designed to ensure that students can continue their education despite displacement and recovery challenges,” it said.

The President also visited the newly developed Port of Marawi, calling it a crucial transport hub for the surrounding 18 municipalities around Lake Lanao.

“This is the first of several ports that we will put… para maganda yung connectivity natin (This is the first of several ports we will build… to improve our connectivity),” he said.

The P261.5-million project includes a passenger terminal, fish port, RoRo ramp, and berthing areas.

Marcos said that, unlike the old causeway previously used by fisherfolk, the new facility is expected to boost trade and movement of goods across the region.

Before this development, the only existing facility at the port was a causeway used by local fisherfolk. Once fully operational, the port is expected to “significantly enhance transportation and trade in the region,” according to the PCO.

This project is part of the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Peacebuilding Program (MRRP) led by the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation and Development (OPAMRD), formerly Task Force Bangon Marawi.

It is an initiative by the Office of the President to expedite recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the City, which was ravaged by a five-month siege that displaced nearly 400,000 residents on May 23, 2017.

Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation Nasser Pangandaman Sr. reported that nearly 2,000 of 14,497 housing claims have been resolved. He said a leadership revamp at the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) and closer collaboration with the National Housing Authority have helped speed up the process.

President Marcos noted that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) regional government is now involved in supporting the city’s rehabilitation.

“Na-involve na ang BARMM para sa funding, para sa lahat ng kailangan… para i-accelerate na natin itong reconstruction (BARMM is now involved in providing funding and support to accelerate the reconstruction),” he said.

In a press briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Marcos' visit to Marawi aims to ensure that the ongoing recovery and reconstruction of Marawi City are on track.

“Lahat ng ito ay patunay ng determinasyon ng Pangulo na muling itayo ang Marawi bilang isang mas ligtas at mas maunlad na komunidad (All of these proves the President’s determination to revive Marawi as a safer and more prosperous community),” she said.

“Tuloy-tuloy po ang suporta ng pamahalaan sa pagbangon ng ating mga kababayan (The government’s support for the recovery of our fellow citizens continues uninterrupted),” she added.