MARAWI CITY – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Marawi City’s recovery, announcing that more infrastructure and development projects are underway to support long-term rehabilitation.
“Marami pa tayong gagawin and we will be able to show the progress that we have been making and putting Marawi back together,” said President Marcos during his visit to the most affected area (MAA) of the city, on June 23.
Among the upcoming projects is the construction of additional ports around Lake Lanao. These are intended to improve connectivity among the 18 municipalities surrounding the lake and support local economic activity.
“We know how important a port is to the surrounding 18 municipalities that are around Lake Lanao, and so this is the first of several ports that we will put,” the President said, referring to the newly completed Port of Marawi.
He explained that the plan involves building a network of ports to allow vessels to travel effectively across the lake.
“Pagka ito lang, walang connectivity, hindi magagamit dahil walang pupuntahan ‘yung barko. So, we will put others around the lake para maganda ‘yung connectivity natin,” he added.
The Port of Marawi, which costs P261.5 billion, includes an 8,000-square meter backup area, a single-storey passenger terminal for about 130 passengers, a fish port, berthing for fast craft, and a Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) ramp. Once operational, it is expected to facilitate trade and transport in the province.
“I am happy to see that we are at least making some progress after such a long time,” the President said, noting that the government continues efforts to support the city’s development.
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the port is primarily used by fisherfolk. In line with the President’s directive, users are not being charged fees.
“Malaya nilang magagamit ito at hindi na muna nating iniisip yung pag singil o pagkakakitaan para magamit o makatulong sa mga mangingisda dito sa Lake Lanao,” he said.
(They are free to use the port without worrying about fees, as our focus is on helping the fisherfolk around Lake Lanao.)
Santiago encouraged residents to maximize the use of the new port, established by the government to assist in Marawi’s recovery and support local livelihoods.
Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal A. Adiong Jr. expressed his thanks to the national government and President Marcos for the Marawi port project. He said that areas visited by the President have received more support, citing the additional ports that will be built in 18 municipalities of the province to improve interconnectivity.
Meanwhile, President Marcos is looking forward to beefing up the total rebuilding of Marawi through the participation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“Ngayon ay involved na ang BARMM para sa pagpa-update, para sa lahat ng kailangan, para ma-accelerate na natin itong reconstruction and rehabilitation ng City of Marawi. Patuloy lang ito,” the President said. (IJBD/PIA-10)
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