By: Genalyn D. Kabiling
With the Marawi City conflict over, President Duterte has implemented a revamp of Task Force Bangon Marawi by formally designating Housing Urban and Development Coordinating Council chairperson Eduardo del Rosario to lead the team.
In Administrative Order No. 9 issued by the President, Del Rosario will take the place of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as chairman of the task force in charge of the rebuilding efforts of the war-ravaged area and nearby localities.
The President’s latest order amended AO 3 signed last June that created Task Force Bangon Marawi, an inter-agency group assigned to oversee the comprehensive and integrated rehabilitation program for Marawi.
“On 17 October 2017, Marawi City has been effectively liberated from the control of ISIS-backed local terrorist groups, signaling the start of a full-blown reconstruction period,” Duterte said in the order. “There is a need to re-organize Task Force Bangon Marawi in order to reflect the government’s current priority to rebuild and develop the settlement areas affected by the armed conflict,” he added.
In AO 9, the President said the HUDCC chair will have “operational control and supervision” of the task force and the “overall responsibility” to ensure rehabilitation program is accomplished.
Lorenzana went down as co-vice chairperson and will be working alongside Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar.
Duterte has also designated the HUDCC to lead the sub-committee on housing “to be primarily responsible for the immediate rehabilitation and construction of temporary or permanent shelters and the restoration of water, electricity, and other public utilities.”
The DND will also co-head the sub-committee responsible for the restoration and maintenance of peace and order and the continuity of public services in the city.