Gov't paid over P207-M to Marawi siege victims

One of the structural and property claimants received compensation on  June 7, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Marawi Compensation Board)

The Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) has disbursed over P207 million in compensation to victims of the 2017 Marawi siege.

During its distribution on June 7, the MCB awarded P46.9 million to six claimants for both structural and property losses, as well as four for support to families who lost loved ones during the tragic event.

Recipients expressed gratitude to the government and the MCB for the release of compensation, stating that they now have the means to rebuild their damaged houses and can finally start over.

A claimant for structural and property damages, speaking anonymously for security reasons, stressed, "I am deeply grateful to Allah (s.w.t.) for providing for us through the Marawi Compensation Board. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the MCB for their tireless efforts."

Another claimant who tragically lost a family member during the siege expressed appreciation, stating, "Alhamdulillah! The time has finally come for us to receive our claim. I'm incredibly thankful to Allah for the existence of the Marawi Compensation Board." 

A recipient of a death claim also voiced her mixed emotions but acknowledged that this claim was for her dead husband and that she received it because it's their entitlement." She also expressed gratitude to MCB, acknowledging their role in ensuring that rightful recipients receive what they deserve.

Another recipient said, "Alhamdullillah! Panalamatan akn so gobyerno kasi (I'm thankful to the government because) in the first place, hindi ko ini-expect na may (I'm not expecting that there is) payment. 

She mentioned commencing repairs last year without expecting any reimbursement from the government. Therefore, she regarded the sum she received as an unexpected bonus.

"So nagpapasalamat ako sa gobyerno, kay Presidente, kay chairperson Maisara Damdamun-Latiph at sa mga taga MCB," she added.

(I am grateful to the government, to the President, to chairperson Maisara Damdamun-Latiph, and to the MCB staff.)

The MCB started accepting applications for death claims as well as damages to structural and personal property, among other types of claims, in July 2023.

Victims who lost their homes during the Marawi siege are eligible to receive compensation of either P18,000 per square meter for totally damaged structures or P12,000 per square meter for partially damaged structures. The MCB also provides P350,000 to the families of individuals who lost their lives during the siege.

The awarding of compensation for death claims began in November 2023, while the release of reimbursements for structural and property damages commenced in April, this year. To date, the MCB has disbursed payments to 94 claimants for death claims and 49 for multiple claims.

One of the structural and property claimants received compensation on May 17, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Marawi Compensation Board)

Addressing concerns on valuation of damaged properties

In response to concerns about the fairness of utilizing fair market value, which leads to significantly lower compensation amounts due to depreciation, the MCB submitted a joint resolution to the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022 on June 7, proposing an amendment to the law.

According to the MCB, the proposed amendment seeks to eliminate the use of fair market value in calculating monetary compensation for destroyed or damaged properties. Instead, it advocates solely relying on replacement or repair costs, as stipulated in the Act's implementing rules and regulations.

The proposal also recommends a retroactive application of the change for claimants who have previously received compensation based on fair market value. (PIA-10)