FINISHING TOUCHES In this Oct. 18 photo, a worker in Marawi City puts the finishing touches on the Bato Ali mosque, whose surroundings are overgrown with grass. Residents are awaiting the
rehabilitation of houses, buildings, and other structures destroyed during the fighting in 2017 after Islamic State-linked terror groups laid siege to the city. 鈥擱YAN ROSAURO
Seven years after the five-month-long siege that destroyed homes and displaced thousands of residents in Marawi City ended, President Marcos has created an agency to hasten the long-delayed rehabilitation and reconstruction of the war-torn capital of Lanao del Sur province.
Executive Order (EO) No. 78, issued on Nov. 28, established the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation and Development (OPAMRD) to 鈥渋ntegrate, coordinate, and accelerate the implementation鈥� of efforts for the rehabilitation, development, and restoration of peace and order in Marawi City.
鈥淭here is a need to create a single office dedicated to oversee and ensure efficient, effective and timely implementation of the programs, activities and projects for the rehabilitation, development and restoration of peace in Marawi City and other affected localities,鈥� the directive said.
The OPAMRD will be headed by Secretary Nasser Pangandaman Sr., the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation. The new agency will be under the supervision of Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr., the special assistant to the President.
EO 78 came more than a month after the President ordered Pangandaman to fast-track the rehabilitation and recovery efforts for Marawi City, with a specific focus on provisions for housing, electricity, and water for displaced residents.
Marawi City has yet to fully recover from the gun battle between government troops and extremist terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State that began in May 2017. The siege destroyed structures mostly in the city center and displaced almost 400,000 residents.
Advisory role
Under EO 78, the OPAMRD will advise the President on all matters regarding the rehabilitation, development, and restoration of peace in Marawi City; and oversee, monitor, coordinate, and harmonize all strategies, programs and projects related to rehabilitation and recovery.
It is also tasked with coordinating with local governments in implementing programs, activities, and projects related to Marawi鈥檚 rehabilitation and development and monitoring the implementation of presidential directives or priorities for the city鈥檚 rebuilding.
The OPAMRD will also submit a biannual report to the President, through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Lagdameo鈥檚 office, on the status of rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.
Pangandaman鈥檚 office will determine the organizational structure, staffing pattern, and qualification standards for positions in the OPAMRD, and submit it to the Office of the President or the Department of Budget and Management for approval.
The initial funding for the OPAMRD鈥檚 operations will be charged against Malacanang鈥檚 available budget, while future funding requirements will be included in the Office of the President鈥檚 budget proposals for succeeding years.
The President also cited the importance of convergence among government agencies and ordered them, as well as local governments and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, to extend their 鈥渇ull and timely assistance and cooperation鈥� in Marawi鈥檚 rehabilitation.
READ: Marcos forms new presidential body for swift Marawi rehab
Concerned agencies were ordered to submit reports detailing updates on their projects, the causes of delays, their catch-up plans, and an inventory of assets, properties, and accountabilities.
These were also instructed to set timelines and targets in expediting the rehabilitation of the city.
The reports should be submitted within the next 30 days, as these would serve as 鈥渂aseline data鈥� for the OPAMRD to 鈥減roperly execute its powers and functions.鈥�