Duterte creates inter-agency task force for Marawi rehab

President Rodrigo Duterte has formalized the creation of an inter-agency task force dedicated to the recover, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi City, six weeks after it was attacked by the pro-ISIS Maute group.

Duterte signed Administrative Order No. 3 on June June 28 to create Task Force Bangon Marawi, with Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana as chairperson and Public Works and Highways Sec. Mark Villar as vice chairperson.

READ: Pres. Duterte signs AO #3 creating an inter-agency task force for Marawi rehab pic.twitter.com/XEnXZDfxEZ

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) July 3, 2017

Meanwhile, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella also confirmed that Duterte would meet with his Cabinet to discuss the rehabilitation plans for Marawi City on Monday afternoon.

“Kasama na iyong rehab, tsaka iyong pagbubukas ng school dates sa Marawi,” he told reporters after the Mindanao Hour in Malacañang.

During the briefing, Lorenzana said that he would definitely raise the budget allocated for the task force. He said that Duterte already approved P20 billion for the rehabilitation fund.

“If it will be mentioned this afternoon during the Cabinet meeting, my first concern is actually the funding. Because as early as now, we would like to procure some-- some construction materials like lumber, cement, nails, ‘yung mga yero, to support the civilians who are going back in repairing their homes especially those this outskirt dito,” he said.

Lorenzana also revealed that US Ambassador Sung Kim already expressed willingness to assist the Philippine government in its rehabilitation efforts for Marawi City.

“We do not know yet. But we have already gotten some information that they will help. We don’t know if they are going to help in kind or in funds or whatever,” he said.

He also confirmed that Duterte and Kim would meet in Malacañang Monday afternoon to discuss the rehabilitation of Marawi and other security matters.

“Both are actually fighting terrorism… Marawi, mga rehab, at iyong continuous support nila sa atin, sa ISR, intelligence, surveillance, at reconnaissance,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News