MARAWI CITY (PIA) — Mayor Majul Gandamra emphasized the critical role of the local community in the ongoing rehabilitation efforts of Marawi.
“Ang pagbangon ng Marawi ay nakasalalay sa constituents ng Marawi City. Kami ang dapat magtutulungan upang ito ay lubusan nang bumangon,” he stated during the commemoration program marking the liberation of Marawi City on October 23, urging collaboration among residents to ensure the city’s full recovery.
(Marawi’s recovery depends on the people of Marawi City. We must work together so that it can fully rise again.)
Gandamra said that the rehabilitation efforts for Marawi are now under the reign of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation (OPAMR). Led by Secretary Nasser Pangandaman Sr., the OPAMR is expediting the rehabilitation, particularly in restoring essential services such as electricity and water.
As to the stability of peace and order, Gandamra said with the creation of Task Force Marawi and the support of the city’s constituents, “the peace and order in the city is relatively peaceful.” He also noted positive signs of recovery, with many local businesses re-establishing themselves outside of ground zero.
“So far bumabalik na ang sigla ng lungsod. Different establishments are being put in place and our local investors are returning to the city,” he added.
The mayor expressed optimism about fully rehabilitating the ‘ground zero,’ citing substantial progress, including new home construction permits.
However, Gandamra acknowledged the challenges faced by residents, particularly regarding compensation for lost properties under the Marawi Compensation Law. While some individuals have received compensation, he emphasized that many still await assistance.
“We are very thankful to the national government and the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) for the ongoing process. But we are not yet content with that. We are still appealing to the national government to infuse more funds, especially about the compensation that should be given to our constituents affected by the Marawi siege,” he urged.
Meanwhile, the MCB reaffirmed its dedication to processing all compensation claims under Republic Act No. 11696, acknowledging the deep-seated concerns and aspirations of the affected residents.
In a statement, the MCB said it supports calls for legislative amendments to streamline the compensation process. “The Board submitted a resolution to Congress recommending the removal of Fair Market Value as a valuation method. We believe that using only the cost outlined in our Implementing Rules and Regulations, without the Fair Market Value component, better supports displaced residents and aligns with our commitment to fair compensation.”
While awaiting legislative progress, the MCB assures that it is open to constructive dialogue and collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the compensation program.
To date, the MCB has resolved 1,111 claims amounting to P1,539,694,919.28 out of the P2 billion budget allocated for 2023-2024. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
