MANILA — Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to speed up the long-delayed rehabilitation of Marawi City, following updates presented during a recent Economy and Development Council meeting.
According to the Presidential Communications Office, Marcos also directed officials to assess whether the Reconstruction and Development Plan for a Greater Marawi (RDPGM) Stage 2 can be completed by 2028 and to address funding and procurement issues that have caused delays.
During the March 19 meeting at Malacañang, the council approved a proposal from the Department of Public Works and Highways to increase the project cost by 26.55 percent—from ₱7.52 billion to ₱9.51 billion—and extend its timeline to March 31, 2028.
As of January 2026, the project was only 19.61 percent complete, highlighting the slow pace of rehabilitation nearly a decade after the Battle of Marawi, which devastated the city.
Completed projects under the broader Bangon Marawi program include housing, power systems, and key facilities such as a hospital, port, school, fire station, and public market. Meanwhile, works like a bulk water supply system and additional school facilities remain ongoing.
The RDPGM Stage 2 focuses on rebuilding roads, bridges, drainage, and essential utilities, with the goal of restoring livable communities and supporting long-term recovery in Marawi.
