DPWH: Marawi City resettlement project to be completed next month

The National Housing Authority may finish the resettlement project for Marawi City evacuees by December, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said in an interview on "News To Go" on Friday.

"Yung pabahay, ang target namin by December. Yung NHA is building the houses. Kami naman, naka-assign sa amin yung road network sa resettlement," Villar said.

Prior to this, the DPWH plans to finish its road repairs by November 25 as part of its master plan for Marawi's rehabilitation.

"The long-term of course is to rebuild the city, utilizing the new master plan that will take years to rebuild. We're talking, maraming mga plano eh, including gawing tourist spot yung river kasi maganda yung Lake Lanao."

More than 10 clusters are conducting clearing operations in 40 barangays to clear the way for rehabilitation plans.

Some 5,000 residents returned to their homes in Barangay Basak Malutlut, the area where the ISIS-Maute siege began on May 23, even as local officials have continued to make it habitable again.

Rehabilitation activities are in full gear after the military and Malacañang confirmed in October the deaths of Maute group leader Omar Maute and Abu Sayyaf sub-leader and supposed ISIS Southeast Asia emir Isnilon Hapilon. —Rie Takumi/LBG, GMA News