MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed concerned government agencies to fast-track the rehabilitation of Marawi City, which has faced significant delays since the 2017 siege. The order follows the eighth Economy and Development (ED) Council Meeting, where the President requested a feasibility assessment to complete the Reconstruction and Development Plan for a Greater Marawi (RDPGM) Stage 2 by 2028.
Due to rising costs for civil works, consultancy services, and right-of-way acquisitions, the ED Council approved a substantial budget increase:
- Proposed Cost Increase: Up by 26.55%, from ₱7.52 billion to ₱9.51 billion.
- Revised Timeline: Originally set to conclude in June 2027, the implementation period may now be extended to March 31, 2028.
- Current Progress: As of January 2026, the RDPGM Stage 2 project was reported to be only 19.61% complete.
While Stage 2 is behind schedule, several key facilities under the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program (BMCRRP) have been completed:
- Healthcare & Education: Marawi City General Hospital and Marawi Dansalan Integrated School (MDIS).
- Utilities & Public Safety: Power supply systems, Marawi Central Fire Station, and the Port of Marawi City.
- Commerce: Grand Padian Market, including an ice plant.
The RDPGM Stage 2 focuses on restoring essential transport, energy, and water systems:
- Roads & Bridges: Rehabilitation of 26.59 kilometers of roads, plus bridges and drainage systems. Out of seven sub-projects, five remain ongoing (three roads, one viaduct, and six bridges).
- Water Supply: A bulk water supply initiative by the Local Water Utilities Administration is slated for completion by May 2026.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of preventing further procurement delays and ensuring funding mechanisms are in place to sustain civil works. He also highlighted that increased involvement from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanano (BARMM) is crucial to speeding up the overall recovery of the city.