DPWH vows 'quick' Marawi rehab, no repeat of Yolanda 'mistakes' 

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar on Thursday ensured the “quick” rehabilitation of strife-torn Marawi City, saying the government will not to repeat the “mistakes” of the previous administration in handling the post-Yolanda scenario.

“The President is very clear on this, and he expressed disappointment for the facilities in Yolanda before, and definitely hindi na mauulit 'yung nangyari,” Villar said in a press briefing held in Malacañang.

“Una, ang basic 'yan eh, 'yung tubig at kuryente, kailangan 'yung resettlement site should be near water and electricity sources, basic 'yan. That’s something na hindi na mauulit, definitely. We’ve already seen the mistakes from the past and we will not repeat them,” he added.

The Aquino administration was heavily criticized over the government’s slow rehabilitation of areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier pledged an amount of P20 billion for the rehabilitation and recovery of Marawi City amid the ongoing clash between state forces and ISIS-linked Maute group.

Villar said a “master plan” is already in place to address the short, medium, and long-term needs of the Lanao del Sur capital.

“Currently, we’re coordinating with our ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) counterpart in order to implement very quickly. The President wants to implement the rehabilitation quickly,” he said.

Villar said construction of residential “facilities” will also form part of the master plan designed by experts.

“Rest assured na pagtapos ng krisis, ready ang gobyerno na i-rehabilitate ang Marawi sa lalong madaling panahon,” he said.

Meanwhile, Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag reported that the number of civilians killed in Marawi is now 44, following the recovery of 17 decomposing cadavers.

Fatalities from the government side are at 75, with 303 among the Maute terrorists. Rescued civilians, meanwhile, total to 1,711, while firearms recovered are 362. —KBK, GMA News