Marcos orders faster Marawi rehab

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the institutionalization of the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the war-torn Marawi City.

In issuing Administrative Order 14, Marcos is pushing for streamlined functions of all concerned agencies "to hasten the implementation of programs and fast-track" the infrastructure projects in the city and other affected areas in Lanao del Sur.

The President underscored the significance of institutionalizing and strengthening the functions of government agencies involved in the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts to ensure institutional stability while government efforts are ongoing.

The AO 14, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on 22 December by order of the President, stated that all government agencies involved in the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City "are directed to expedite and ensure the completion of the projects and activities, in coordination with the concerned local government units."

Marcos said the order would reduce delays, and promote efficiency and organizational coherence in the bureaucracy that is consistent with the rightsizing policy of his administration.

Under the AO, the Department of the Interior and Local Government is directed to maintain peace and order in Marawi City and other affected localities. In contrast, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development is ordered to facilitate and oversee the completion of housing projects for the affected residents.

It also tasks the  Department of Public Works and Highways to coordinate the complete restoration of public utilities, such as water and electricity, as well as the repair and reconstruction of public buildings and infrastructure.

Further, the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development are designated to ensure residents' health, sanitation, food, and other basic needs. 

The Department of Trade and Industry is mandated to make sure an environment conducive to the revival of business and livelihood activities in the war-torn area, particularly the 24 most devastated villages within the city. 

The AO 14 recognizes the supervisory role of Task Force Bangon Marawi, which was created under AO 3 issued by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017, as amended by AO 9 issued in the same year.

TFBM has been directed to facilitate rehabilitation efforts and is in charge of overseeing the progress and completion of several programs under the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program.

The task force is likewise mandated to wind up its operations by facilitating the reversion to the Office of the President of the remaining balance of the TFBM Trust Fund, which was created through a memorandum of agreement on 13 April 2018, between the two offices.

In must also conduct an inventory of its assets and properties and ensure proper accounting and turnover of the funds; settle its outstanding obligations and submit a Consolidated Audited Report of Disbursements to the OP on or before 31 March 2024; and submit a Comprehensive Transition Report to the President.

Marcos said the AO 14 repeals AOs 3 and 9 issued in 2017 and all other orders, rules, regulations and issuances or parts of the orders that serve as the basis for the creation of the TFBM, inconsistent with the provisions of the new AO.

The AO stated that the Marcos Administration is "actively pursuing the rationalization of the functional structures of government agencies to promote efficiency and organizational coherence in the bureaucracy consistent with the Rightsizing policy."

Hence, a need to reduce delays due to redundant and superfluous bureaucratic layers in the National Government and to accelerate reconstruction and recovery efforts in the City of Marawi and neighboring localities affected by the war, "to ensure institutional stability, it is imperative to institutionalize and strengthen the functions of implementing government agencies involved in the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the City of Marawi and other affected localities."

"There is a need to rationalize the functions of government agencies in order to promote efficiency and organizational coherence in the bureaucracy consistent with Rightsizing policy," stressed Marcos, as he noted that improving bureaucratic efficiency is one of the key pillars of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and the 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda of his administration.

Malacañang has yet to release a copy of AO 14, which takes effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette.