Marcos orders accelerated completion of Marawi rehab, United Grand Central Station

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the expedited implementation of the long-delayed rehabilitation of Marawi City and the United Grand Central Station (UGCS).

This was following updates during the 8th Economy and Development (ED) Council meeting in Malacañang last week.

Marcos stressed the need to accelerate Marawi City’s rehabilitation and strengthen infrastructure projects to restore mobility, enhance economic activity, and ensure the timely delivery of benefits to Filipinos.

The Reconstruction and Development Plan for a Greater Marawi (RDPGM) Stage 2 seeks to restore transport infrastructure, energy, and water systems, and rebuild livable communities.

This includes the rehabilitation and construction of 26.59 kilometers of roads, bridges, drainage systems, and slope protection under the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program (BMCRRP). 

Of the seven sub-projects, two road sub-projects have been completed, while five remain ongoing, including three roads, one viaduct, and six bridges. The project is 19.61% complete as of January this year.

The total project cost is proposed to go up by 26.55% from P7.52 billion to P9.51 billion, due to updated requirements for civil works, consultancy services, and right-of-way acquisition.

The implementation period – originally from September 2018 to June 30, 2027 – may be extended to March 31, 2028.

The President ordered an assessment of the feasibility of completing the project by 2028, the proposed funding sources, and mechanisms to prevent further procurement delays that could affect civil works.

So far, the completed infrastructure includes permanent shelters, power supply systems, and key facilities such as Marawi City General Hospital, Port of Marawi City, Marawi Dansalan Integrated School, Marawi Central Fire Station, and Grand Padian Market with an ice plant.

The ongoing projects include the bulk water supply by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) which will be completed by May 2026 and ancillary facilities at MDIS.

Meanwhile, the UGCS project faced delays due to contractor performance issues.

The contract of the design-build contractor was terminated on May 14, 2025 after achieving 67.03% completion and disbursing P1.37 billion of the P2.8 billion total project cost.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing to push for interim operations connecting the LRT Line 1 and MRT Lines 3 and 7 by the first semester of 2027.

The ED Council also reviewed the processing of Marawi Compensation Board claims and noted that 2,288 claims benefited 2,280 claimants and totaled P3.85 billion in compensation processed from 2023 to February 2026. — JMA, GMA Integrated News