President reorganizes ‘ Task Force Bangon Marawi’

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE has signed Administrative Order No. 9 ordering the change in the structure of the “Task Force Bangon Marawi” – the government’s rehabilitation program - as he saw the necessity of a fullblown reconstruction following its liberation from ISIS militants.

Task Force Bangon Marawi is now headed by the Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council ( HUDCC), with the Secretary of Department of National Defense ( DND), the former Task Force chairman, and the Secretary of Public Works and Highways ( DPWH) as Co- Vice Chairpersons. "The Chairman of the HUDCC as head of the Task Force Bangon Marawi shall have operational control and supervision of the said Task Force and the overall responsibility to ensure that the objectives of this Order are accomplished," according to Duterte’s order.

The Sub- Committee on Housing, formerly under the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, will also be headed by the HUDCC, which will be "primarily responsible for the immediate rehabilitation and construction of temporary or permanent shelters, and the restoration of water, electricity, and other public utilities."

On the other hand, the Sub- Committee on Security, Peace and Order will now be co- headed by the DND and the Department of Interior and Local Government. They will be responsible for the restoration and maintenance of peace and order, and the continuity of public services in Marawi City.

President Duterte declared Marawi City freed from the Maute group last October 17, which marked the start of the city's rehabilitation period. The reorganization of Task Force Bangon Marawi reflects the shift in government's priority in rebuilding and developing war- affected areas in Marawi.

It was unknown why Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Muslim autonomous region was not tapped by Duterte for the reconstruction of Marawi, which is the capital of Lanao del Sur, one of 5 provinces under it. Even in meetings, Hataman was not included by Duterte, although the governor oversees ARMM’S relief program for displaced families of Marawi.