Marcos orders creation of body to oversee Marawi rehabilitation

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of PCO

MANILA, Philippines—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed an executive order establishing a body to oversee and accelerate rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City and nearby areas, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Thursday.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation and Development (OPAMRD), created through Executive Order No. 78, signed on November 28, will integrate all government programs related to rebuilding and developing the war-torn city.

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It will be led by the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation under the supervision of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President.

“The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation and Development is hereby created to integrate, coordinate, and accelerate the implementation of all government PAPs (programs, activities, and projects) related to the rehabilitation, development, and restoration of peace and order in Marawi City and other affected localities,” Marcos’ order reads.

Among its functions are providing the president with updates on rehabilitation and development efforts and coordinating with local government units (LGUs) in implementing recovery initiatives.

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Marcos also called on relevant agencies, bureaus, offices, LGUs, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to fully support the OPAMRD.

Efforts to rehabilitate Marawi City began with the creation of Task Force Bangon Marawi after the May 2017 siege of Islamic militants with links to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

A battle between extremist forces and the Philippine military lasted for five months, displacing about 400,000 residents.