President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a directive to streamline the rehabilitation and recovery efforts in Marawi City, the Palace said on Saturday.
Under Administrative Order (AO) No. 14, which was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Dec. 22 and released to the public on Saturday, the President ordered the institutionalization of recovery and rehabilitation measures in Marawi.
“In order to reduce delays due to redundant and superfluous bureaucratic layers in the National Government and to accelerate reconstruction and recovery efforts in the City of Marawi and other affected localities, the Administration is actively pursuing the rationalization of the functional structures of government agencies in order to promote efficiency and organizational coherence in the bureaucracy consistent with the Rightsizing policy,” the AO said.
“To ensure institutional stability, it is imperative to institutionalize and strengthen the functions of implementing government agencies involved in the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the City of Marawi and other affected localities” it added.
President Marcos also ordered various government agencies to coordinate with concerned local government units to expedite and ensure the completion of projects and activities.
According to the AO, various tasks were given to government agencies involved in the rehabilitation and recovery programs in Marawi City.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was given the responsibility for maintaining peace and order in Marawi City and affected localities.
Similarly, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has been tasked with overseeing and facilitating the completion of housing projects for the affected residents.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has received orders to coordinate the comprehensive restoration of public utilities such as water and electricity, as well as the repair and reconstruction of public buildings and infrastructure.
The Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development have also been mandated to ensure that the essential needs of residents, including health, sanitation, food, and other basic requirements, are met.
Furthermore, the AO has directed the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to create an environment conducive to the revival of business and livelihood activities.
The AO also stated that the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) will cease its operations by Dec. 31, and it will be deemed as “functus officio” by March 31, 2024.
On the dissolution of the TFBM, President Marcos cited that while the TFBM supervised the activities and programs, government agencies are still executing the projects.
President Marcos also tasked TFBM to prepare a Comprehensive Transition Report that shows projects and activities being implemented and causes of project delays.
Moreover, TFBM’s unused funds would be turned over to the Office of the President.
In May 2017, the pro-ISIS Maute group with the help of other terrorist groups occupied Marawi City which turned the city into a war zone against the country’s military force.
The Marawi Siege resulted in thousands of deaths and turned the city into ruins.