MARAWI CITY -- Task Force Bangon Marawi Chairman Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario is satisfied with the progress of the massive rehabilitation efforts in the only Islamic City in the country.

The ongoing rehabilitation works have been slowed down in the past three to four months due to the almost daily downpour that hinders construction and had prolong the curing period for concrete structures.

This was stressed by officials from the implementing agencies during Wednesday's (December 1) briefing on the updates of their respective projects.

The TFBM chief, however, remains optimistic on the completion of the massive rehabilitation of Marawi City with more projects to be completed by end of December 2021 and most within the 1st quarter of 2022 while a few others until the end of the term of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte by June 2022.

"I am very satisfied with what I saw today (Thursday), and I thank the implementing agencies for your hard work to meet your deadline despite the numerous challenges," said Secretary Del Rosario.

"I am certain that we can finish at least 95 percent of all major infra projects by June 2022, and I can assure everyone that the few remaining projects will surely be completed because they are already funded and for implementation by the concerned agencies," he added.

On Thursday, Secretary Del Rosario, along with Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra, had a day-long inspections of ongoing projects like the Marawi City Jail which is now more than 90 percent complete and the Rizal Park inside the ground zero where the almost complete School of Living Traditions and Marawi Museum are situated.

The TFBM chief also formally turned over the iconic Grand Mosque to the administrators, led by the Pangarungan and Alonto clans.

From the Rizal Park, the TFBM chief oversaw the progress of the Marawi Convention Center, the mall-like Grand Padian Market, the Sarimanok Sports Complex, the Lake Promenade and the Marawi Peace Memorial.

The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) also broke ground for the construction of the Bulk Water Facility that will supply 5 million liters of potable water inside MAA. Secretary Del Rosario and LWUA Administrator Guilling Mamondiong led the ceremony.

The TFBM chief also inspected the ongoing construction of the Marawi Integrated School buildings and slaughterhouse. He also inaugurated the Barangay Raya Madaya 1 Complex with a health station and a madrasah.

Secretary Del Rosario also visited the permanent shelter projects in Barangays Patani and Kilala jointly being undertaken by the National Housing Authority, Social Housing Finance Corporation and UN Habitat.

Meanwhile, the construction of road networks is now in the final stages of completion.

Secretary Del Rosario's optimism is shared by the CSO (civil society organization) Convergence Group that serves as third-party monitoring in the ongoing rehabilitation.

Padoman Paporo, the Head of the CSO Convergence Group, noted the completion of several projects and the sustained construction works despite the challenges.

She committed that the CSO group will continue to be a partner of the TFBM until the completion of the rehabilitation. (DHSUD)