More than just rehabilitating the war-torn Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, the government, through the Task Force Bangon Marawi, is determined to bring back the former glory of the Philippines’ only Islamic city, housing czar Eduardo del Rosario said Wednesday.
Since July this year, the rehabilitation work by 56 implementing agencies under the TFBM, led by Del Rosario, in Marawi City’s most affected area or MAA, or the so-called “ground zero”, had gone full blast immediately after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the release of the P3.56-billion budget in April and May.
Outside the MAA, composed of the 72 least affected barangays, economic vibrancy has returned as evidenced by the dramatic increase in revenue collection in terms of real estate and business taxes by the local government—from a mere P500,000 annually prior to the May 2017 siege to about P30 million this year.
“Clearly,” the government is on the right track not only in rehabilitating the city but also in modernizing it with cutting-edge infrastructure, said Del Rosario, head of the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development.
“We envision the rehabilitation of Marawi to be a catalyst for growth and sustainable development, a model for good governance and serve as a template to achieve peaceful environment,” he said.
“I won’t be surprised that after the rehabilitation, maybe in 10 years, Marawi City will bloom economically and be very competitive.” Rio N. Araja
Despite the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the task force went on with the implementation of major projects, most of which are slated for completion by December of 2021 as embodied in the master development plan.
According to Del Rosario, the Task Force had carried out infra and non-infra interventions to help the Maranaos cope and guide them in rebuilding their lives, including financial and livelihood assistance.
At least 81 percent of the targeted construction of 5,266 transitory shelters for internally displaced people so far have been built with the rest expected for completion within the first quarter of 2021 in barangays Sagonsongan, Boganga, Dulay and Rorogagus.
As for permanent shelters, the TFBM is keen on completing 2,000 units under the Pamayandeg sa Ranaw Residences project in Barangay Dansalan.
Another 1,297 permanent shelters in Barangays Dulay, Kilala, Gadongan and Patani are now in various stages of completion jointly by the Social Housing Finance Corp. and United Nations-Habitat.
Inside the MAA, construction work is ongoing for a four-story school building, the Marawi Central Fire Station, the mall-like Grand Padian Central Market, a Peace Memorial Park, the Marawi City Museum, School of Living Tradition and 24 barangay complexes each having their own health clinic and madrasah.
All of these undertakings are set for completion by December of 2021.
Work for the 24-kilometer road networks with underground provision for electricity and water utilities inside “ground zero” are now also on full swing and are expected for completion by the third quarter of next year.
Another key accomplishment for TFBM is the start of mobilization of different private partner-developers in rehabilitating various Islamic houses of praise that were either damaged or destroyed during the siege, including the Grand Mosque, the Bato Mosque and White Mosque.
A total of 30 mosques are programmed to be reconstructed inside MAA.
Del Rosario says the task force is bent on strengthening further its coordination with the Marawi local government unit, led by Mayor Majul Gandamra, the Maranao traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to hasten the completion of the rehabilitation projects and bring back full normalcy to the Islamic City.