AS a testament to the government’s commitment to fully rehabilitate Marawi, more projects to restore the Islamic City’s former glory and uplift the lives of its citizens were inaugurated and turned over on Wednesday in line with the observance of the 6th “Marawi Week of Peace.”

Representing the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary and Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Chairperson Jose Rizalino Acuzar, Assistant Secretary Melissa Aradanas kicked off the weeklong celebration with the launching of the Kawiyagan Trade Fair and the three completed units of four-storey, 20-classroom school buildings in Barangay Moncado Kadingilan jointly implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In delivering her “Message of Peace,” Aradanas emphasized TFBM’s role in “upholding peace and harmony” in Marawi, which has been instrumental in ensuring the city’s “recovery and healing process of its citizens.”

“Maintaining peace and order is vital to ensuring progress. This is why the government, through the TFBM and its member-agencies, remains adamant in upholding peace and security in the country’s lone Islamic City, as well as, in neighboring localities.”

“As we commemorate the sixth Marawi Week of Peace, the TFBM urges the completion by the concerned implementing agencies of all their ongoing programs, projects and activities for the rebuilding of Marawi through regular inspections and monitoring,” Aradanas said.

The National Housing Authority (NHA) also awarded 254 permanent shelter units in Bgy. Kilala to the beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) rolled out the Building for Network Operation Center and Digital Transformation Center in Bgy. Datu Naga.

The celebration also witnessed the inauguration of the Bato Mosque in Bgy. Dansalan inside the “Most Affected Area.”

Also taking part in the events were TFBM Deputy Head Secretariat Raymond Cajayon, Field Office Project Manager Felix Castro Jr., and Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra.

Earlier in the week, TFBM met with the visiting delegation from the Australian Embassy led by First Secretary Simon Hayter and representatives from the United Nations (UN) Office on Drugs and Crime at the TFBM Field Office in Marawi City.

High on the agenda were the soon-to-be-completed Marawi City Jail, touted to be the “most modern prison facility” in the country, and updates on TFBM’s other ongoing efforts.

Aradanas also inspected the Social Housing Finance Corporation’s Norsalam Village permanent shelter project in Bgy. Patani and the Marawi City General Hospital – now nearing completion, before capping the day with a meeting among Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) members headed by Chairperson Maisara Dandamun Latiph.

Carrying the theme “Peace Starts With Us: Give, Work, Share,” the Marawi Week of Peace reflects the heroism, unity, resiliency and collective efforts of Maranaos, especially the internally displaced persons, TFBM, the government and stakeholders toward Marawi’s full rehabilitation.