Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 4) — The implementation of some water projects in Marawi is delayed due to bidding failures and contract issues, officials of concerned government agencies told lawmakers Monday.
At the hearing of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on Marawi rehabilitation and victims’ compensation, Presidential Assistant for Marawi Rehabilitation Assistant Secretary Felix Castro Jr. said there’s no progress yet on bringing water supply to temporary and permanent shelters due to failure of bidding.
The construction of a sewerage system at a temporary shelter site in Barangay Sagongsongan has also been pushed back as the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has yet to award the contract to a bidder.
The ₱225-million bulk water supply project for Marawi is only 39% completed, Castro added.
Rodney Peralta, LWUA’s focal person in Marawi, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) raised some issues regarding its bulk water supply agreement with the local water district, further slowing down the project.
Peralta said LWUA is waiting for the Office of the Solicitor General’s guidance on the matter. He promised to give lawmakers an update in two weeks.
Lawmakers expressed dismay over the slow pace of restoring water supply in Marawi, which they say should be prioritized before residents are allowed to return to the war-torn area.
“Hindi ko naman sinasabing may connection ‘yung bombing kahapon dito sa rehabilitation, pero tingin ko malaking bagay ‘yung rehabilitation sa security,” said Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman.
[Translation: I’m not saying that the bombing yesterday has a connection with the rehabilitation, but I think rehabilitation has a big impact on security.]
“Since 2018, sinabi ni former President Duterte na [former President Rodrigo Duterte said] it is the priority of the government to rehabilitate Marawi,” said ad hoc panel chair and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong. “We are holding the government to their word and we want to see the fulfillment of that promise.”
