Onward to learning in Marawi

On June 23, 2025, President Marcos Jr. ordered national government agencies to expedite the construction of additional learning facilities for the P520-million Marawi Dansalan Integrated School. This was done to ensure the uninterrupted learning of 10,000 students. The President visited Marawi City where he inspected the ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts as well as the construction of an integrated school that learners will soon be able to use.

In a statement, the President explained that efforts are in place, expressing his resolve to rebuild and rehabilitate Marawi as soon as possible. Marawi City is undergoing post-conflict recovery after the 2017 siege, with efforts focused on rebuilding, reconstructing and community development. As reported by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the path to lasting peace seems fragile in Marawi City due to challenges that continue to face the people eight years later. Around 8,200 people continue to live in inadequate conditions that were supposed to be temporary, with irregular access to clean water, causing immense suffering in daily life routines.

Ensuring full recovery is essential for lasting peace and certainly education cannot be denied nor placed on the sidelines. In reaffirming his commitment to making education more accessible to the Filipino youth, the President has spearheaded initiatives to improve access to digital education and basic learning needs in Marawi City. During his visit, the President personally observed the installation of a Starlink internet unit, ensuring reliable internet connection for both students and teachers at the temporary learning spaces (TLS) where over 720 students are enrolled across five schools.

Following the 2017 siege, the Office of Civil Defense has been actively involved in the rehabilitation and recovery efforts in Marawi City and it funded the school building project through the recovery fund for Marawi City. President Marcos Jr. highlighted the importance of education as the key pillar in the city’s ongoing recovery program. The TLS where the President began his visit is known as “ground zero,” being the most affected area in the siege. These temporary classrooms are critical learning hubs while waiting for the completion of construction of permanent school buildings. The President also explained that the new buildings of the Marawi Dansalan Integrated School in Barangay Moncado Kadingilan, also located within ground zero, are expected to accommodate around 10,000 learners with only a few finishing touches left to complete.

Education plays a crucial role in fostering peace and access to digital technologies is becoming increasingly vital for peace building as this enhances communication and promotes inclusion that enables data driven solutions for conflict prevention and resolution. Upon his arrival, the President was briefed by education and Marawi City rehabilitation officials about the project and the facilities needed to complete the school. The proposed additional facilities have a total project cost of P264.2 million. The Department of Public Works and Highways-Region 10 serves as the implementing partner, overseeing the design, construction and completion of the school buildings.

Healing is true liberation and this requires rebuilding trust, relationships and community that will address the enduring and emerging drivers of violence. The trauma caused by the Marawi war runs deep and the educators in the area play a very important role in helping the community overcome their trauma, as they have been deeply wounded by cycles of violent conflict. Peace education, and especially in the case of Marawi, is important for the youth as it equips children with the skills they need to be human beings that can build healthy relationships and solve problems in ways that give value to the inherent dignity of people around them.

The impact of peace education creates a ripple effect in communities and this is especially important for the children of Marawi, who are vulnerable to the ramifications of violent extremism. Education indeed is a key pillar as this is the most critical aspect of liberation – not just about freedom from terrorist groups but freedom to move forward and build a future that represents the dreams and goals of a united and fully healed people.