THE Marawi Reconstruction Conflict Watch has highlighted the slow progress of reconstruction in war-torn Marawi since the Philippines government declared its liberation three years ago.
In a report, Philstar.com said the watchdog monitoring Marawi's rebuilding is also doubtful of the targeted timeline for completing 90 per cent of the city's infrastructure by the end of next year.
Marawi was besieged by the Islamic State-influenced Maute group from May to Oct 2017, which left the city in rubble.
The watchdog said while most of the displaced have been allowed to return to their homes, there has been no compensation for damage to property; while thousands still remain in evacuation shelters in poor conditions.
There are nearly 370,000 persons, or about 77,170 families, who were displaced due to the siege.
"The sad fact remains that progress is slow, funds are lacking, and implementation could be improved," the group said in a statement provided by International Alert Philippines.
Only P22.2 billion (RM1.87 billion) has been channelled by the government for reconstruction funds out of the P60.5 billion (RM5.16 billion) required since the end of the siege.
Given the present situation on the ground, the watchdog is also doubtful of the promise made by Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, of the human settlements department, that 90 per cent of infrastructure projects in the city will be completed by Dec 2021.
"The dismal amount on top of issues on disbursement and absorptive capacity in the past, paint a bleak picture for us all.
"With only 16 months left until the 2021 year-end deadline of completing reconstruction projects, can the Duterte administration still deliver its promise that Marawi will rise as a prosperous and peaceful city again?" the group said.
Del Rosario, who also heads the Task Force Bangon Marawi, while admitting that reconstruction has faced budget problems, maintains that they are on track in their timeline.