NEWS




4February

Marawi City Residents Still Hopeful for Full Implementation of P400 Million Water System Project

COTABATO CITY — Marawi City residents continue to hold on to hope for the completion of the long-promised P400 million water supply project, which aims to provide potable water to five key areas in the city: MSU Area Zone 1, MSU Area Zone 2, MSU Area Zone 3, Bless Area, and 12IB to Pugaan Area, covering a total of 40 barangays.
Residents have expressed frustration that, despite the project’s promises, it has not been fully implemented. In 2021, former MILG Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo formally presented a check representing 50% of the project’s total cost, which was funded by the regional government, to Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong.

However, in the face of these concerns, Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr. confirmed during the second hearing of the Special Committee on Marawi Recovery, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation of the Bangsamoro Parliament in November 2024 that the project had been implemented, with five water systems already completed. His update covered both completed projects and ongoing efforts for the city’s rehabilitation.

Yet, before the Governor’s confirmation, Vice Governor Mujam Adiong, in an episode of his 'BityaRanow' segment, pointed out that some parts of the water systems in various areas of the city were still incomplete.

The project is expected to be fully completed by the end of the year. “Hopefully, by November, the water system in MSU will be finished, followed by the Caloocan area,” Vice Governor Adiong said. He added that delays were due to issues such as a lack of water sources and errors in equipment purchasing.

One resident, identified as Khalid, criticized the delays, attributing them to poor management and negligence. “Issues that should have been addressed long ago should not be used as excuses,” he said, emphasizing that better planning and timely execution could have prevented such setbacks.

Marawi residents remain hopeful that, after more than three years of waiting, the project will finally be fully implemented. They are also calling on the current administration to provide a clearer, more detailed report on the actual status of the water system project.

While the Adiong family’s statements on the progress of the project differ, the people of Marawi continue to hold on to the hope that they will soon have access to the clean, reliable water supply that they have long awaited.