Task Force Bangon Marawi chair says criticisms on rehab delay 'inaccurate, unfair'

Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) chairman Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario on Monday said criticisms on the government's efforts in rehabilitating war-torn Marawi City were inaccurate and unfair, as operations continue three years after the conflict.

In a statement, Del Rosario responded to remarks of Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo, as she called on the expedition of rehabilitation efforts.

"With due respect to the Vice President and other members of the political opposition, the national government, particularly the TFBM, has not ceased from pursuing the massive rehabilitation of Marawi City," said Del Rosario.

"To say that there is government inaction in Marawi City is very unfair to all who have not stopped working to continuously assist our Maranao sisters and brothers since the liberation of Marawi in October 2017 to date," he elaborated.

Over the weekend, Robredo said that three years after the clash between the government and rebel forces, Marawi remains in ruins, and "its people's lives are frozen in time."

"To say there is government inaction in Marawi is very inaccurate," said Del Rosario.

"I want to assure everyone that TFBM is on top of the rehabilitation efforts and I am optimistic that we can meet our target of completing the major projects by December 2021," he added.

According to the TFBM, Del Rosario has already ordered the release of P10.5 million to the Marawi City government to provide financial and livelihood assistance to some 4,000 individuals hit by the coronavirus.

Del Rosario also said the rehabilitation works are expected to go full blast starting July, following the approval of a P3.56-billion budget for projects approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Let me reiterate the government's commitment not only to rehabilitate Marawi City but to establish a peaceful and economically progressive city since total rehabilitation is not only constructing physical infrastructures but equally important are the numerous social, economic, health, educational and peace building interventions that TFBM agencies are implementing," he said.—AOL, GMA News