MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Mayor Majul Gandamra of Marawi City highlighted the various efforts of the city government to rehabilitate and rebuild Marawi in his State of the City Address (SOCA) Friday, August 27.

Gandamra said markets and barangay halls with built in barangay health centers and Madrasah have been constructed in the most affected area (MAA) of the city. Some mosques have also been refurbished while others are currently being reconstructed. 

An integrated terminal is ready for operation while the construction of School of Living Traditions is also in its finishing stages.

"Maraming nagtatanong at nagpupuna kung bakit kailangan pang gawin ang ganitong imprastraktura. Ito po ay kailangan sapagkat [Many ask and criticize why such infrastructure still need to be built. This is necessary because ] this structure aims to help the preservation of our identity and rich cultural heritage while providing economic opportunities through the tourism industry," he said.

He also bared that a Marawi Command Center is being constructed in City Hall Complex to serve as the brain of all the security systems that will be placed in various places in the city such as CCTVs, traffic lights, and others.

He further disclosed that a Marawi Promenade is also being built along the danger zones near the lake to serve a dual purpose - a leisure facility and a deterrent for illegal settlers to illegally build their homes.

Gandamra said the construction of permanent houses for those who lost theirs during the siege is also in progress.

"Through the help of public agencies such as the National Housing Authorities, Social Housing and Finance Corporation, and NGOs such as UN-Habitat through the aid of the Japan government, our constituents who have been living in danger zones or those who have lived in reclamation areas before the siege are now gradually being relocated to their new permanent homes and there are more to come," he further said.

The mayor also stated that he recommended the construction of a fish port in the MAA considering that fishing is one of the main livelihoods in the city.

The city government likewise strives to put up water facilities to provide clean water to its residents.

"Mayroon ding nakaambang na pagpapatayo ng Sewerage Treatment Plant upang maiwasan ang kontaminasyon sa ating natural water sources na gagawin ng Local Water Utilities katuwang ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Marawi," he added.

[There is also the imminent construction of a Sewerage Treatment Plant to prevent contamination of our natural water sources which will be done by Local Water Utilities in collaboration with the local government of Marawi.]

Meanwhile, Gandamra appealed to Marawi residents to be more patient and understanding of the dynamics in the rehabilitation.

He said it is not as easy to rebuild a city that has been destroyed to a greater extent and that building better takes time. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)