DAVAO CITY—More than 2,000 families displaced by the 2017 Marawi siege have recently applied for building permits in the area that was part of the so-called “ground zero,” the area of intense battle.
According to the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), some 865 of these families have already been given the permits they applied for.
Secretary Eduardo D. del Rosario of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) announced this on Thursday during his visit to Marawi City.
Del Rosario, who also heads TFBM, said the families were given building permits to start reconstructing their homes inside the most affected area (MAA) but only in sectors that were already cleared of unexploded bombs and improvised explosive devices.
“Everything is moving forward and we are optimistic we can reach our target very soon,” he said.
Those granted the permits were among the 2,418 applicants from Sectors 1 to 7 composed of 15 barangays.
Despite criticism of slow work in clearing the area and allowing residents to return to their former location, Del Rosario lauded the task force’s implementing agencies “for doing their role in the massive rehabilitation effort”.
“For my visit this January, I can see that all the implementing agencies are doing their part, and with the updates given to me yesterday (Wednesday), everything is going smooth,” he said.
He said recent development works in the area were delayed by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, severe weather conditions and land issues but he said Marawi City’s rehabilitation remain on track.
Last year, the task force posted photographs of the rehabilitated Grand Mosque, which was among damaged structures in the fighting.
Last Thursday, Del Rosario inaugurated the Agus 3 Pumping Bridge and the Lilod Madaya Barangay Complex. He also inspected the construction of a 15-hectare sanitary landfill.
Del Rosario also said construction of structures at the MAA “are in full blast.” These are: the Sarimanok Sports Complex; the Marawi Convention Center; the shopping mall-like Grand Padian Market with an ice plant; and, the Lake Lanao Promenade.
He said the Peace Memorial, the Marawi Museum and the School of Living Traditions at the Rizal Park would be completed soon.
“Most projects will be completed by June 30 this year. But of course, there are some projects that will have to be completed by the end of the year. But I am confident that all these projects maybe 90 percent to 95 percent will be completed. But a few projects will continue,” he said.