Philippines will struggle to reconstruct Marawi city

Subject

Marawi city's post-siege reconstruction.

Significance

President Rodrigo Duterte was absent from a groundbreaking ceremony last month linked to the reconstruction of Marawi, the capital of Lanao del Sur province on Mindanao island. Marawi was besieged in May-October 2017 by Islamic State (IS)-affiliated miltiants led by the Maute group. While bills regarding compensation for siege victims are before both houses of Congress, the main consortium to oversee reconstruction in the city's most affected area is yet to be designated.

Impacts

• Uncertainties over Marawi’s reconstruction could disrupt international aid flows to the city.
• Establishing the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao could exacerbate delays in reconstruction.
• The Maute group and other local militant organisations will launch small-scale attacks on Mindanao.