Victims of Marawi siege may now claim state compensation

By Julito Rada

VICTIMS of the 2017 the Marawi siege may claim from the government a compensation of P18,000 per square meter for totally damaged structures, and P13,500 per square meter for those partially damaged, the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) announced on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the release of P5 billion for the rehabilitation of conflict-affected communities in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

MCB chairperson Maisara Dandamun-Latiph said valuation was based on the post-conflict needs assessment conducted by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) this year.

‘Pag total damaged po, ibig sabihin, ‘yung structural integrity niya ay unsound na at declared na siya na totally destroyed,” Latiph said

For structures that needed partial repair, Latiph said the claimants may get monetary compensation based on the assessment by the MCB.

Some 17,800 families affected by the months-long siege of Marawi City in 2017 stand to receive financial aid.

In September 2022, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the Marcos administration had earmarked  P1 billion for Marawi other properties in Marawi’s main affected areas or other affected areas destroyed or damaged, either totally or partially due to the siege.

Owners of private properties demolished pursuant to the implementation of the Marawi recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction program, in accordance with R.A. No. 11696 and guidelines to be promulgated by the MCB were also entitled to compensations.

Dandamun-Latiph said the MCB would announce this week on their official Facebook page where and when the affected residents could file their claims.

“Under the law, merong one year na prescriptive period… Kapag Marawi suffered severe damage due to the clashes between the extremist forces and government troops that lasted five months.