Marawi compensation bill ensures full recovery of war-torn city — rehab chief
SENATE’S final approval of a proposed law that will give Marawi City residents monetary compensation for properties destroyed during the 2017 siege complements the government’s reconstruction program, the head of the rehabilitation team said on Tuesday.
“The Task Force Bangon Marawi welcomes the Senate’s approval of the Marawi Compensation Bill as a huge boost to the morale of our Maranaw brothers and sisters who were affected by the infamous 2017 siege,” Secretary Eduardo D. Del Rosario said in a statement.
“They have long been clamoring for this legislation, and, hopefully it will soon be enacted into law,” he said.
Senate bill 2420, or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act, consolidates two bills as well as the House of Representatives’ approved version. A copy of the bill certified by both chambers of Congress will be transmitted to the President for review, and approval or veto.
At the commemoration of the 4th anniversary of Marawi’s liberation in October last year, President Rodrigo R. Duterte assured residents of his administration’s commitment to “bring back the city’s glory.”
Mr. Duterte also noted that “rebuilding the lives of the displaced” is what is most important.
“This will ensure the totality of the government-led rehabilitation of Marawi City with the reconstruction of public infrastructures, which is now in the final stages. The compensation bill’s final approval will allow private individuals not only rebuild their properties but also rebuild their lives,” Mr. Del Rosario said.
Under the bill, claims may be made for residential, cultural, commercial and other properties such as home appliances, jewelries and equipment that were affected during the five-month heavy firefight between government forces and extremist groups who laid siege on the city.
Legitimate property owners or their legal heirs are eligible for the tax-free compensation.
Funding for the compensation will be sourced from the current year’s allocation for the Marawi recovery program while future payments will be included in the annual national budget.
Implementation will be led by a nine-member board, whose chairman and members will be appointed by the President.
Mr. Del Rosario said in late January that more than 800 displaced families have been granted permits to start reconstruction of their homes. — MSJ
