Gov’t to Transform Marawi Into Tourist Destination

The government aims to transform war-torn Marawi City into a tourist destination after rehabilitation and rebuilding.

Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chair Eduardo del Rosario said they will sustain the rebuilding of Marawi and maintain peace and order, so as to attract tourists in the future.

In a Palace press briefing, del Rosario said a peaceful environment is essential in the rehabilitation process as it can help in removing the stigma on Marawi City.

Marawi: Safe for Tourists

Del Rosario added that their objective is to ensure Marawi City will become one of the best tourist spots in Mindanao.

He also called on Marawi residents to participate and coordinate with the government in keeping their communities safe. Del Rosario said they should be one with the government in thwarting the return of any Islamic State-linked lawless elements to their town.

“If the citizens themselves are active in telling the military once there are faces and they feel that they are terrorists, it’s their responsibility now to immediately report to the military,” he said.

The Islamic State-linked Maute group attacked Marawi City in May 2017, leaving over a hundred people dead. The incident also displaced thousands of families from their homes.

Leaving the city in ruins, the conflict came to an end after five months of fighting between government troops and the rebels.

Since then, the government has launched a massive rehabilitation and recovery program to help the Marawi community get back on its feet.

Last year, debris clearing operations began in the most affected areas of Marawi. These are expected to finish by August or September this year. Road networks and public utilities are included in the first phase of the rebuilding process.

According to the government, they aim to complete the multibillion-peso Marawi recovery program by December 2021.

via Manila Bulletin / Genalyn Kabiling