Most projects in Marawi rehab not started, yet to be completed three years after siege

Three years after the Marawi siege, most of the infrastructure projects for the rehabilitation of the war-torn city have yet to be completed, with over 14 in the pipeline that have yet to start construction.

In a virtual briefing on Monday, Housing Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, who also sits as chair of the Task Force Bangon Marawi, presented updates on the rehabilitation efforts.

"Maganda naman po ang development sa ating Marawi rehabilitation," he said during the Palace virtual presser with presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.

According to Del Rosario, a total of five projects have been completed so far — two located in less affected areas (LAA), and three in most affected areas (MAA).

Those completed in LAA are the PNP COMPAC 1 and the Marawi Fire Substation, while those in MAA are the Mapandi Bridge, Banggolo Bridge, and the Maritime Outpost.

Meanwhile, 13 other projects are ongoing -- Transitory Shelters; Marawi Police Station; Salintubig Reservoir; correctional facility; transcentral roads; permanent shelters; pumping bridge; Marawi Museum; four-storey school building; School of Living Tradition; Peace Memorial Park; Grand Padian Market; and the 24-Barangay Complex.

Meanwhile, 14 other projects have yet to start, but Del Rosario said are targeted to be completed by December 2021.

Below is a list, along with their target start date:

•     Tourist Police Building (November 2020)
•     Multi-Modal Transport Hub (January 2021)
•     Hospital with Basic Equipment (November 2020)
•     Multi-Level Carpark (January 2021)
•     Halal Slaughterhouse (January 2021)
•     Marawi City Health Office (April 2021)
•     Road Infrastructure (September 2020)
•     Sewage Treatment Plant (October 2020)
•     Bulk Water System (October 2020)
•     Maritime Building (November 2020)
•     Port Facilities (January 2021)
•     9 School Buildings (January 2021)
•     Lanao Promenade (January 2021)

"All of these will be completed by December of 2021," said Del Rosario.

Projects of the Marawi rehabilitation are estimated to have a total funding requirement of P60.506 billion — P47.387 billion for LAA, and P13.118 for MAA.

The total amount released so far was recorded at P22.240 billion — P15.522 billion for LAA, and P6.717 billion for MAA.

In May, Del Rosario said criticisms on the government's efforts in rehabilitating Marawi City were inaccurate and unfair, as operations continue three years after the conflict.

To recall, the Marawi siege started in May 2017, with continuous clashes between the Philippine military and the ISIS-linked Maute group started, later leading President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in the entire island of Mindanao.—AOL, GMA News