Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman on Thursday called for a revamp of Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), the interagency body tasked to lead in the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City, over the body’s alleged failure to effect change three years after the conflict ended.
“While the country fights the COVID-19 pandemic, the people of Marawi suffer twice in this crisis as they continue to be plagued by an outbreak of government delay and inefficiency in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of their homes three years after the 2017 siege,” Hataman said.
“It may be time for a revamp, change the leadership of the TFBM as it has been three years and, still, the people of Marawi have yet to return to their homes.
This is actionable negligence on the part of the [task force],” he said. “COVID-19 or not, the rehabilitation must go on,” the lawmaker said, adding that construction is one activity that is least susceptible to virus infection.
“It is done outdoors and workers by their nature are physically distanced from each other,” he said. —Melvin Gascon