Marcos forms new presidential body for swift Marawi rehab
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has created the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation and Development (OPAMRD) to fast-track the rehabilitation of Marawi City and nearby localities.
Under Executive Order (EO) 78 inked by Marcos on Nov. 28, the OPAMRD will be headed by the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation (PAMR) under the control and supervision of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP).
The OPAMRD is created to oversee and ensure “efficient, effective, and timely” implementation of the programs, activities and projects (PAPS) under the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program (CRRP).
“The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation and Development (OPAMRD) is hereby created to integrate, coordinate, and accelerate the implementation of all government PAPs related to the rehabilitation, development, and restoration of peace, and order in Marawi City and other affected localities,” EO 78 read.
The OPAMRD is tasked to advise the President on all matters regarding the formulation and implementation of policies, plans and programs of the government towards the rehabilitation, development, and restoration of peace in Marawi City and other affected localities.
Article continues after this advertisementIt is also designated to oversee, monitor, coordinate, and harmonize all strategies, programs, activities, and projects of implementing agencies in charge of the recovery efforts.
Article continues after this advertisementEO 78 also directs the OPAMRD to coordinate with concerned local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of PAPs related to Marawi City rehabilitation and development.
The OPAMRD is mandated to monitor the implementation of Presidential directives or priorities for the rehabilitation, development, and restoration of peace in Marawi City, as well as to submit a bi-annual report to the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary and OSAP, on the status of the implementation of EO 78.
All relevant departments, agencies, bureaus, offices are directed to provide full and timely assistance and cooperation to the OPAMRD to ensure the effective implementation of Marcos’ latest directive.
Concerned LGUs and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are encouraged to assist and cooperate with the OPAMRD.
“The OPAMRD shall be deemed functus officio (having performed the office) upon completion of the rehabilitation, development, and restoration of peace in Marawi City and other affected localities. For this purpose, the OPAMRD and Implementing Agencies shall set timelines and targets to accomplish the objectives of this Order,” according to EO 78.
The funding requirements for the initial implementation of EO 78 will be taken from the current and available appropriations of the Office of the President (OP) and other sources that may be determined by the Budget department.
The budget for the continued implementation will be included in the OP’s budget proposal, subject to the usual budget preparation process.
Government efforts to rehabilitate Marawi City started with the creation of Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) in 2017 to oversee the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the battle-scarred city following the May 2017 siege of Islamic State-linked militants.
A battle between the extremist Maute group and the Philippine military raged for five months in Marawi, displacing nearly 400,000 residents, rendering them homeless and unemployed.
EO 78, a copy of which was made public on Thursday, takes effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. (PNA)
