Duterte Orders Creation of 'Task Force Bangon Marawi'

President Rodrigo Duterte

Manila, 9 Shawwal 1438/3 July 2017 (MINA) – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of an inter-agency task force that will focus on the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi City and other affected areas.

Under Administrative Order no. 3, dated June 28, 2017, Task Force Bangon Marawi will be headed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar,abs-cbn.com reported Monday.

Among the functions of Task Force Bangon Marawi is to develop and implement a comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery program based on a post-conflict assessment.

The task force is also ordered to have sub-committees focusing on reconstruction, housing, health and social welfare, business and livelihood, and peace and order.

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The chairperson of the task force is directed to “consult with Muslim leaders in the rehabilitation of predominantly Muslim localities.”

Task Force Bangon Marawi is also directed to submit monthly progress reports through the secretary of national defense, until the “objectives of the Task Force have been achieved.”

Lorenzana, also the administrator of martial law in Mindanao, was tasked to head the task force which shall focus on rebuilding damaged homes and infrastructure in the city.

“Recovery and rehabilitation [will take time] because there are lots of buildings destroyed because of our aerial bombings and also because of the actions of the enemy blowing up buildings as well and burning houses,” he said in a news briefing in Malacañang.

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“With this document, we can now start stockpiling construction materials for the rehabilitation of Marawi.”

Lorenzana said damage assessment will begin and displaced residents whose houses were not heavily damaged will be allowed to return home once the fighting in the city is over.

“One of the things that we would like to restore immediately are the stores so that when the residents go back then they have places to buy their provisions,” he said.

He said the creation of tent cities will also be prioritized to accommodate residents whose houses were reduced to rubbles because of the fighting. (T/RS5/RS1)

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Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)