MARAWI CITY (PIA) -- After months of meticulous review and assessment, the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) has commenced disbursing payments to claimants for structural and personal property losses incurred during the 2017 Marawi siege.
MCB Chairperson Maisara Damdamun-Latiph announced that the ceremony awarded 15 claims, amounting to approximately P60 million. This allocation, along with the earlier disbursement of 11 claims totaling P23 million earlier this month, underscores the government's dedication to facilitating recovery efforts.
"That is for the initial tranche, pa lang ito. Meaning, there are still thousands of claimants awaiting compensation. But ang maganda kasi today, nag-start na 'yung awarding for structural, ibig sabihin nagbabayad na kami. 'Yan ang big news sa mga eligible claimants for Marawi," Latiph said.
(That is for the initial tranche, just yet. Meaning there are still thousands of claimants awaiting compensation. But the good thing is that today, the awarding for structural claims has started, which means we are paying. That's the big news for the eligible claimants in Marawi.)
Furthermore, the MCB has processed 82 death claims, with each recipient receiving P350,000.
Latiph assured continued momentum in future awards, aiming for weekly distributions to expedite the compensation process.
The MCB chair also thanked the Office of the President, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and stakeholders for their support throughout the compensation process.
A recipient, speaking anonymously for security reasons, shared sentiments of gratitude towards the MCB, acknowledging the compensation as a pivotal step towards healing and rebuilding.
"In this harrowing time, I lost a property that was not just a building but a beacon of hope and healing to many—a business that supported not only my loved ones but also many employees of the hospital who depended on its operation," she said.
She said her destroyed hospital has played a crucial role in her community for nine years, providing quality healthcare services to the people of Marawi.
She underscored that the compensation arrived at a crucial juncture, offering them and others impacted by the devastation a chance to rebuild and begin anew.
"I never believed nor considered that we would be given this blessing of compensating us with the losses of properties. I know most of the victims of the Marawi siege had also been hopeless about the possibility of compensation for our damaged properties," she added.
As the compensation deadline of July 3 approaches, the MCB urges all eligible individuals to promptly file their claims. Latiph emphasized the importance of timely action, urging claimants to seize this opportunity for compensation before the deadline lapses.
The MCB, mandated to administer and oversee the compensation provisions outlined in the Marawi Siege Victim’s Compensation Act of 2022, remains steadfast in its commitment to facilitating the recovery and rebuilding process for affected individuals and families. (APB/PIA-10)
