Palace: Duterte wants to hasten Marawi City rehabilitation

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines — While he is satisfied with its progress, Malacañang said Monday that President Rodrigo Duterte wants to speed up the rehabilitation efforts and initiatives being done in Marawi City, three years after it was freed from a local terror group.

“Let’s just say we are satisfied but the President, of course, would appreciate it if it can be hastened,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said when sought for his assessment on Marawi City’s rehabilitation.

The Maute group laid siege on the city for five months, starting on May 23, 2017, which led to widespread destruction of property and infrastructure and loss of lives in the Islamic city.

The siege forced thousands of local residents to be displaced and to live in temporary shelters provided by the government.

It was on October 17, 2017, when the President declared Marawi City liberated from terrorists after a five-month battle.

In June, chairman of Task Force Bangon Marawi Housing Secretary Eduardo del Rosario assured that the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City would be completed within the target deadline of December 2021 despite the pandemic.

JPV