Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the immediate acceleration of rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City, particularly in the areas of electricity, water supply, and housing, following years of recovery challenges since the 2017 Marawi Siege.
During a sectoral meeting on Tuesday, the President issued instructions to the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation, led by Secretary Nasser Pangandaman Sr., to expedite the remaining infrastructure work in the war-torn city. Marcos stressed the urgency of restoring basic services, emphasizing the critical need for water.
“You seem to have solutions to most of the issues. It’s just the installation of the power, and I think, more importantly, the water. We have to get that done as quickly as possible,” Marcos said. He pointed out that, while residents may endure brownouts, a lack of water is far more critical. “We can’t do anything if there’s no water supply. You can live with a brownout. But having no water, you really can’t.”
Secretary Pangandaman explained that delays in the Bulk Water Supply Project, managed by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), were due to legal challenges. However, he assured the President that the issues are being addressed and that the LWUA is committed to completing the project before the end of the year.
In addition to the water supply issue, Pangandaman also briefed Marcos on the status of housing for displaced residents. Many of the temporary agreements with private landowners, made under the previous administration to accommodate displaced families, have expired. Marcos instructed Pangandaman to secure extensions on these agreements to ensure that the displaced can remain housed while permanent shelters are being constructed.
This renewed push for faster rehabilitation comes after the issuance of Administrative Order No. 14, Series of 2023, which institutionalized and streamlined the Marawi recovery efforts. The order aims to improve coordination among government agencies involved in the rehabilitation, ensuring a more systematic approach to addressing the city’s reconstruction needs.
Marawi Siege and its Aftermath
The call for accelerated rehabilitation is a response to the prolonged impact of the Marawi Siege, which began in May 2017 when ISIS-linked Maute group militants took control of parts of the city, leading to a five-month-long battle between insurgents and government forces. The conflict resulted in the destruction of the city, displacing over 350,000 residents and leaving much of Marawi in ruins.
Efforts to rebuild Marawi have been slow due to various challenges, including land ownership disputes, security concerns, and coordination among agencies. While some progress has been made, particularly in rebuilding roads and public infrastructure, many residents remain without access to basic services such as electricity, water, and permanent housing.
President Marcos’ recent directives reflect the administration’s commitment to resolving these lingering issues and ensuring that the people of Marawi can finally return to a sense of normalcy seven years after the siege.
The rehabilitation of Marawi is seen as not only vital for the recovery of the city but also crucial in preventing further instability in the region, where the threat of violent extremism remains. Marcos’ administration aims to complete the rehabilitation as swiftly as possible, providing hope to the thousands of displaced residents still waiting for a return to their homes.
