THANKS to sustained efforts by workers, the government-led rehabilitation of Marawi following the 2017 siege is now more than halfway completed.

In making the assessment, Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Chairman Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario said the ongoing rebuilding process spearheaded by the task force’s 56 implementing agencies is now between 55 and 60 percent accomplished.

“When I was here last month, I said it was around 45-50 percent, and based on the latest presentation and our inspection (of ongoing projects), it’s now between 55 and 60 percent,” said Del Rosario, who also heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

According to the housing czar, he expects the road networks to be finished by end-September after holding consultations with the project’s contractor.

“Ito ang una naming gustong matapos para yung mga returning residents na gusto nang magpatayo ng kanilang mga bahay ay wala nang sagabal,” the TFBM chief stressed.

“As early as last year, we have been encouraging residents, especially those residing in Sectors 1 to 3, to obtain necessary building permits from the LGU so that they can start rebuilding their respective homes,” he noted.

With regards to the ongoing construction of 438 housing units in Bgy. Patani, Del Rosario said all of them will be completed by December this year. He added that after holding talks with UN-Habitat and the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), a DHSUD key shelter agency, he was given assurance that the permanent housing units will be finished before the end of the year.

The housing czar likewise disclosed that the TFBM is closely coordinating with the Department of Education in pursuing a plan to establish an elementary school and a mosque in the area.

The SHFC is in-charge of the land acquisition and development while UN-Habitat is tasked to construct the permanent housing units.

The TFBM will be constructing about 3,000 permanent housing units intended for internally displaced persons from Marawi City’s most affected area.

Construction and rehabilitation activities likewise persist despite the holy month of Ramadan as 60 percent of workers in various projects are non-Muslims.

As for the refurbishment of the Grand Mosque, Del Rosario announced that repair of the Islamic house of worship, which was severely damaged during the 2017 siege, will most likely be finished this October.

“As you will notice napakarami nating gumagawa rito, Ang contractor ay nagsabi sa atin na instead of December, it will be completed September. So before October, if ever nagkaroon ng delay, October definitely. Two to three months ahead of schedule,” the TFBM chief said.

“Yung mga projects natin lahat ipi-neg natin ng December, just like the road networks, matatapos yan by September. Meron matatapos na by third quarter, and majority will be completed by last quarter of the year,” he added.