By: PCO

MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation (OPAMR) to fast-track its rehabilitation efforts — particularly on electricity, water, and housing — in Marawi City.

In a sectoral meeting at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, President Marcos said the government should find better ways to accelerate the rehabilitation of the city.

“You seem to have solutions to most of the issues. ‘Yun na lang, ‘yung installation of the power, and I think, more importantly, ‘yung tubig. We have to get that done as quickly as possible,” President Marcos said.

The President gave the instruction to OPAMR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman Sr., who briefed the Chief Executive on the agency’s Marawi rehabilitation projects focused on electricity, water, and housing.

“Wala tayong magagawa ‘pag walang water supply. ‘Yung brownout, you can live with it. ‘Yung walang tubig, hindi talaga,” the President pointed out.

Pangandaman, for his part, explained there was a delay in the implementation of the Bulk Water Supply Project by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) due to legal challenges.

The issue is already being addressed by the government. LWUA has committed to finish the project within four months, or before the end of 2024, Pangandaman said.

President Marcos also stressed the need to immediately address issues concerning shelters for residents affected by the Marawi siege.

The previous administration had an agreement with some private landowners to temporarily use their property for five years, pending the construction of permanent shelters for Marawi siege victims.

But the contract has already lapsed, according to Pangandaman.

President Marcos ordered Pangandaman to ask the private landowners if they could extend the contract to accommodate the victims. Pangandaman replied they would work closely with the local government unit (LGU).

The President said now is the right time for the administration to adopt a more systematic approach to the Marawi rehabilitation efforts, following the issuance of Administrative Order 14, series of 2023.

The AO institutionalized the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City and streamlined the functions of implementing government agencies involved. (PND)