MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) -- Internally displaced persons here are elated with the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11696, or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022.

Jaslia Abbas, a resident of Barangay Moncado Colony which is one of the 24 most affected barangays during the five-month battle in 2017, said they long waited for the compensation so that they can return home and build back their houses.

The family of Abbas whose residence was damaged during the conflict stayed in tents and then later on transferred to Rorogagus Transitory Shelter.

"Ito na yung pinakahihintay namin. Mayroon kaming sari-sari store kaya lang hindi sapat ang kita kaya ito yung sinisigaw namin na makamit na ang kabayaran para makapag-umpisa uli at makapag-aral lahat ng mga anak namin," she said.

[This is what we've been waiting for. We have a sari-sari store, but the income is not enough, so this is what we are calling for, to get compensation so that all we can start over and our children can go to school.]

Meanwhile, civil society organizations (CSOs) also rejoiced with the signing of IRR.

Khuzaimah Maranda of Thuma Inc. said they are also happy with the finalization of the IRR.

"As I listen to the salient points of the IRR, I cannot help but think of the sacrifices of our IDPs who long endured the challenges of living in temporary shelters, the pain that families needed to go through as they seek justice for their loved ones because of the siege," she said. 

She further said that the signing of the IRR is a vital tool to address the concerns and queries of the IDPs as far as the compensation for their damaged properties and structures is concerned.

Meanwhile, Marawi Compensation Board chairperson Atty. Maisara Damdamun-Latiph assured that the implementation of the law will be proper, timely, and effective.

Under the IRR, the monetary compensation for damaged structures shall be based on fair market value or the replacement cost (for totally damaged structures) or repair cost (for partially damaged structures), whichever is lower. For totally damaged structures, the replacement cost shall be P18,000 per square meter for pure concrete, P13,500 per square meter for mixed concrete and wood, and P9,000 per square meter for light or pure wooden structures. While the partially damaged structures, the repair cost shall be P12,000 per square meter for pure concrete, P9,000 per square meter for mixed concrete and wood, and P6,000 per square meter for light or pure wooden structures.

The IRR also provides that heirs of those who died or are legally presumed dead shall receive a compensation of P350,000. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)