Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 10) — The chief of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) assured that the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City will be completed by the end of next year.

“The rehabilitation of Marawi City is on track and we can state that the rehabilitation will be completed by December of 2021,” Secretary Eduardo del Rosario told the House Committee on Appropriations at the hearing of the department’s 2021 budget on Thursday.

“In the most affected areas where there are a number of structures and public infrastructure that's being constructed, the construction is ongoing and more will follow within the month or by next month," he also said.

Lanao del Norte Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo requested Del Rosario to submit documents that will support the latter’s statements.

It has been more than three years since the Maute rebels, inspired by international terrorist group ISIS, attacked the capital province of Lanao del Sur.

The group’s clash with the military left over 1,100 people dead, with majority of the Islamic city still in shambles.

A United States cable report earlier stated that public anger over rehabilitation delays has bolstered the recruitment of extremist groups.

Meanwhile, Rep. Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna Partylist, called out DHSUD officials for the slow progress of the rehabilitation of the war-torn city.

“Nagkaroon na nga ng bagong departamento, wala pang katiyakan ang nangyayari doon sa Marawi after it was razed to the ground,” Zarate pointed out.

The DHSUD was formed in February 2019 to lead the housing development in the country, including Marawi.

Del Rosario responded by saying that the December 2021 target is achievable as the displaced residents of the ravaged city are gradually returning by batches.

He explained that families can start reconstructing their damaged homes as long as they obtained building permits from the local government.

“For those residents who do not have the capacity for the construction and restoration of their respective houses or buildings, there’s a compensation bill pending in Congress and hopefully it will be approved as soon as possible,” Del Rosario said.

Zarate asked the DHSUD chief if some of the private sector’s recent fund donations on the reconstruction of the city’s mosques can be used to build new houses too. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he wanted to prioritize the repair of the city’s mosques including the iconic Dansalan Ali Bato Mosque.

Del Rosario replied by saying the United Nations Human Settlements Program will provide for the building of 1,500 free housing units for residents who have no lots before the siege.

“Since they will not be allowed to go back because they have no lots and they are living in danger zones, they will be given priority,” he assured.