Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development Sec. Eduardo Del Rosario on Wednesday said assured the public that the Marawi rehabilitation will be finished by December 2021.
Facing the powerful Commission on Appointments for the deliberation of his interim appointment, Del Rosario spelled out the status of infrastructure projects in Marawi City including those least affected areas and the most affected areas.
Del Rosario said that by December 2021, the projects will be 90 percent completed. However, he said they would still need an additional three months to completely finished the projects in the war-strife city.
“We can complete and we are on the right track based on our timeline in accomplishing the Marawi rehabilitation and as alleged, it’s impossible- I can say, it is possible and we can do it,” said Del Rosario.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson questioned Del Rosario for using the Marawi rehabilitation funds that reached P5 million for trips to Mecca of 25 internationally displaced persons.
He added that until now, it has a disallowance from the .commission on Audit because what Del Rosario did was not allowed in the law and violated the Constitution particularly the use of government funds by a religion or sect.
But Del Rosaio said that they have a pending appeal before the CA head office and are just awaiting its decision.
A group led by Padoman Paporo opposed to the approval of Del Rosario’s appointment faced the hearing via online. They argued that there’s a conflict of interest since Del Rosario also belongs to the Task Froce Bangon Marawi.
They also said Del Rosario failed in his promise regarding their going back to their own homes.
But Del Rosario dismissed any conflict of interest, saying his position in the DHSUD will be favorable to the Task Force so he can focus on Marawi.
For her part, Sen. Risa Hontiveros inquired from Del Rosario about a sexual harassment case against his subordinate whom she claims that he has been protecting.
Del Rosario, however, belied the allegation of Hontiveros, saying he even called the complainant and asked her if she will file a complaint against his subordinate. The woman, however, said that she will not lodge a complaint and asked Del Rosario to just tell his subordinate to avoid her.
According to Del Rosario, he will not condone a case of sexual harassment under his leadership.
Since there were still many congressmen who manifested their intent to question Del Rosario, the CA suspended the hearing and scheduled it for next week.
