Bongbong Marcos institutionalizes Marawi rehab efforts

BATTLE RUINS In this May 2018 photo, Marawi residents are allowed access to the main battle area at the city center to inspect their properties and neighborhoods seven months after the fighting between government troops and Islamic State-linked militants ended. —JEOFFREY MAITEM

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the institutionalization of Marawi City’s rehabilitation, said the Palace.

In an Administrative Order No. 14 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on December 22 but released to the media on Saturday, Marcos wants to reduce delays in the rehabilitation of the war-torn city caused by government bureaucracy.

“In order to reduce delays due to redundant and superfluous bureaucratic layers in the National Government and to accelerate reconstruction and recovery efforts ni the City of Marawi and other affected localities, the Administration is actively pursuing the rationalization of the functional structures of government agencies in order to promote efficiency and organizational coherence in the bureaucracy consistent with the Rightsizing policy,” the order said.

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“To ensure institutional stability, it is imperative to institutionalize and strengthen the functions of implementing government agencies involved in the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the City of Marawi and other affected localities,” it added.

Marcos ordered all government agencies to expedite projects in coordination with necessary local government agencies.

The Department of Interior and Local Government specifically was ordered to maintain peace in the area.

The new order follows the bombing in Marawi State University earlier in December.