P5 billion earmarked for Marawi rehab in 2021 — TFBM chief Del Rosario

Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) chairperson Eduardo Del Rosario on Wednesday said P5 billion is being requested for the rehabilitation of the war-torn city under the national budget for 2021.

Del Rosario said this during the Commission on Appointments' deliberation of his ad interim appointment as Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

"For 2021 we are given in the NEP, P5 billion... The budget of the Marawi rehabilitation is lump sum under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management fund being managed by the Office of Civil Defense," Del Rosario explained.

He said this fund, meant for capital outlay and non-infrastructure projects in Marawi City, would be "sufficient" to achieve the targets of the task force.

Based on Del Rosario's presentation, over P22.24 billion of the indicative funding requirement of P60 billion for Marawi rehabilitation has so far been released by the government as of August 13, 2020.

He added that the budget for rebuilding of the Islamic City was not affected by the realignments for COVID-19 response of the government.

Del Rosario assured at least 90% completion of the Marawi rehabilitation projects by December 2021.

"Based on our master development plan, and the progress of the infrastructure construction, all these will be completed by December of 2021," he said.

"Most of the infra projects, maybe 90%. If there will be slippage, it can be completed in three months' time after that December target date, your honors, to make it 100%," he added.

The CA decided to suspend its deliberation of Del Rosario's ad interim appointment as DHSUD Secretary to have more time to discuss other pressing issues involving him. — RSJ, GMA News