Photo courtesy of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC)
TAGUM CITY, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, Nov. 2, named the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chairperson Eduardo del Rosario as the new head of Task Force Bangon Marawi.
Del Rosario’s new role is stated in the Administrative Order No. 9 signed by Duterte on October 27, prompting a change in the structure of the task force as the government is focusing on its efforts to rebuild the war-torn Marawi City.
The Task Force Bangon Marawi, headed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, was created on June 28 by virtue of Administrative Order No. 3.
The reorganization in the task force, according to the Palace, recognizes the “necessity of a full-blown reconstruction” after Marawi was liberated from the control of ISIS-backed terrorist groups.
“There is a need to reorganize 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,” a portion of the President’s order reads.
Based on Duterte’s AO No. 9, Del Rosario “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.”
Del Rosario will be assisted by Lorenzana and the Secretary of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as Co-Vice Chairpersons.
He will also head the sub-committee on Housing 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.”
The administrative order also makes him the head of the sub-Committee on security, peace and order which is responsible for the restoration and maintenance of peace and order, and the continuity of public services in Marawi City.(davaotoday.com)
