TFBM chief: Energization of Marawi’s MAA signals rehab on full swing

MARAWI CITY, July 16 – Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Chairman Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario on Wednesday spearheaded a lighting ceremony inside Marawi City’s Most Affected Area (MAA), indicating that the Islamic city’s rehabilitation is now on full swing.

Secretary Del Rosario led the ceremonial energization of MAA’s Sector 1 and Sector 2 in Barangay Tolali with Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra, saying the event signals the government’s commitment in hastening the city’s recovery and rebuilding process following the five-month siege perpetrated by the Maute terrorist group in 2017. 

The project is being led by the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (LASURECO), which started setting up power distribution lines inside “Ground Zero” last month. The TFBM chief also stated that the power restoration indicates that the government remains on track to achieving its goal of completing the massive rehabilitation by December 2021.

 “I can assure you that 90 to 95 percent matatapos natin yan by December 2021. We will strive our best, with the support of Mayor Gandamra and all residents, na magagawa nating matapos by December 2021 ang rehabilitation ng Marawi. Yan ang ang utos ng ating mahal na Presidente Rodrigo Duterte at yan ang gagawin natin,” said Secretary Del Rosario, who also heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. 

“As we announced earlier, infrastructure projects within MAA will go full blast this month. This lighting ceremony signals that all projects will now go in full swing,” he added.

Secretary Del Rosario is on an official visit to the war-torn city to inspect rehabilitation works inside MAA, as well as to break ground on several other projects. At the event, Secretary Del Rosario also called on displaced families to remain united and support the government in its goal of rebuilding Marawi, noting that providing water and electricity inside MAA remains a priority for TFBM. 

The housing czar had repeatedly warned that MAA will become a massive evacuation center if the 17,000 families residing there are allowed to return at once even without proper permits.

President Duterte had approved the release of the PHP3.56-billion budget for the implementing agencies to further fast-track Marawi’s rehabilitation. Despite delays caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the TFBM and its implementing agencies continued providing assistance to families affected by the siege. (DHSUD/PIA ICIC)