President Duterte reorganizes Task Force Bangon Marawi to focus on city’s “full-blown reconstruction”

(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte has reorganized the composition of Task Force Bangon Marawi, as he directed that the Task Force be headed by the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) with the focus redirected on “full-blown reconstruction” of the devastated city.

The President signed Administrative Order No. 9 on October 27 ordering the change in the structure of the Task Force as he saw the necessity of a full-blown reconstruction, following Marawi City’s liberation from the control of ISIS-backed terrorist groups.

“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,” AO No. 9 said.

The HUDCC chair is retired general Eduardo del Rosario which now heads Task Force Bangon Marawi, with the 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.

Malacanang said the reorganization of Task Force Bangon Marawi reflected the “shift in government’s priority in rebuilding and developing war-affected areas in Marawi.”

The President also directed HUDCC to also head the Sub-Committee on Housing which was previously under the Office of the Cabinet Secretary.

This sub-committee will be “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 (DILG). They will be responsible for the restoration and maintenance of peace and order, and the continuity of public services in Marawi City,” a Palace release said.