By Vanne Elaine Terrazola Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto reminded the government to include the residents in its plans to rebuild the war-torn Marawi City, saying they should be "partners" of the plan. Senator Ralph Recto (JOHN JEROME GANZON / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Recto said the national government "should recognize the Maranao’s culture and resilience as the strongest building blocks in the reconstruction of Marawi City." "Treat them as active partners and not mere passive receivers of rebuilding plans," he added. Earlier, a group of residents displaced by the battle between government troops and Islamic State (ISIS)-affiliated militants last year asked President Duterte to reconsider the prospect of building an ecozone in Marawi, saying they were not consulted about the plan. They also appealed to allow them to return to their homes and rebuild the city on their own. Recto, reacting to the appeal, said locals “are the best rebuilders of their own city.” “Development plans are prepared on the ground and not something that is dropped from the air. Cultural sensitivities are as important as cement in rebuilding a city," he added. “Mobilize the government, harness the people—that’s the best formula. To government’s aid, Maranaos are willing to give their sweat equity. And we know from experience that cement mixed with sweat creates the strongest building material,” Recto said. “If you allow Maranaos to build it, they will come,” he added. “While we welcome help from all countries, at the end of the day it should be a Made by Maranao enterprise and not a Made in China nor a Made in the USA project.” Recto also noted that the government, should spend at least P15 billion in “Bangon Marawi” funds in the 2018 national budget. “Bottomline is that Marawi should be the object of a humanitarian invasion, with the people in front. Kaya ang sabi ko nga dito, what will work is a different and a better kind of PPP—People, Private, Public—partnership, pero una ang tao,” he added. BBL 'urgent' Meanwhile, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III yesterday said he already asked President Duterte to certify the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as urgent. "Done already," he replied in a text message, while noting that it only a "verbal" request. Pimentel and other leaders of Congress met Duterte on Tuesday amid the Chief Executive's appeal for the immediate passage of the BBL, which is expected to solve the decades-long strife in the Moro regions in Mindanao. The Palace, in a letter addressed to Pimentel, earlier sought the approval of the measure before the sine die adjournment of 17th Congress so Duterte can sign it into law this year. Pimentel also called on his colleagues to cooperate in the speedy approval of the proposed BBL.