President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday evening has expressed dismay over criticisms on the Marawi City rehabilitation, claiming that there is no legitimate liberation in the area.
“Look, government liberated Marawi not from the people of Marawi. We do not do that and never did it. We liberated Marawi against the terrorist Maute, pati yung (and the) ISIS,” President Duterte asserted.
President Duterte admitted that the building of the war-torn city is not easy especially the heavily and most affected areas before the residents could return.
“The clearing of explosives ang matagal (is time consuming). Then you have to contend with titles, ‘yung mga titles niyo riyan, doble-doble (your titles have varying copies). So, there’s no title that is really very clean,” he explained.
“The money is there. Do not worry. And we will continue to spend until such time that Marawi is rebuilt to its former glory. It might take — you know, it’s not easy to do that but it might take some time before we can really reach the ideal place that you’d call home,” the Chief Executive assured.
Meanwhile, Task Force Bangon Marawi Chairperson and Urban Development Sec. Eduardo Del Rosario reported that the residents of the area have been gradually allowed to return since July 2019 as long as they have proof of ownership.
“Tayo po na nakaalam, kailangan makita natin kung paano ang progreso (To those who are aware, we have to see the progress), how the methodology is being conducted so that you will see that we are moving forward–– slow but sure, I can assure you,” Del Rosario stated. – Report from Christine Lyn Viajante/ PIA-Iligan City
