MANILA - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called on concerned government agencies to fast-track the rehabilitation of the war-torn Marawi City, emphasizing the urgent need to resolve housing and water supply issues.

According to Philippines News Agency, during a sectoral meeting at the Malacañan Palace, Marcos tasked Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation, Secretary Nasser Pangandaman Sr., with intensifying efforts to restore critical infrastructure, including electricity and housing. The focus was highlighted on water supply issues, which the President labeled as a priority. "You seem to have solutions to most of the issues. 'Yun na lang, 'yung installation of the power, and I think, more importantly, 'yung tubig (the water supply). We have to get that done as quickly as possible," Marcos was quoted saying.

The urgency was underscored by Marcos's assertion, "Wala tayong magagawa 'pag walang (We can't do anything without) water supply. 'Yung brownout, you can live with it. 'Yung walang tubig, hindi talaga (Without water, nothing)." Pangandaman reported delays in the Bulk Water Supply Project managed by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), attributing them to legal hurdles. However, he assured that the LWUA has committed to completing the project within the next four months, ahead of the 2024 deadline.

Additionally, the President addressed the shelter crisis for residents displaced by the Marawi siege. Noting the lapse of a prior agreement that allowed temporary use of private lands, Marcos instructed Pangandaman to negotiate an extension with the landowners to continue housing the victims.

This push comes following the recent Administrative Order 14, Series of 2023, which aims to institutionalize recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City and streamline the roles of involved agencies.