Photo taken last year shows residents heading to the reconstructed Jameo Mindanao Al-Islamie Islamic Center, the grand mosque inside the city center of Marawi that was heavily damaged during the 2017 siege, as it reopens in time for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. (DIVINA M. SUSON / INQUIRER)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Sunday announced the approval for release of P1 billion for Marawi siege victims and the city’s rehabilitation and recovery.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has approved the issuance of a special allotment release order (Saro) for the P1 billion, covering the Marawi siege victims’ compensation under the 2023 Fiscal Year General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The approval will benefit 362 victims, who will receive monetary compensation under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF).
Under the NDRRMF’s Special Provision No. 3 in the FY 2023 GAA, the appropriation shall be used for the compensation of the following:
- Any lawful owner of residential, cultural, commercial structures and other properties in Marawi’s Main Affected Areas or Other Affected Areas destroyed or damaged, either totally or partially, on the occasion of the Marawi Siege.
- Owners of private properties demolished pursuant to the implementation of the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Program.
- The heirs of those who died and legally presumed dead, in accordance with RA (Republic Act) No. 11696 and guidelines to be promulgated by the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB).
DBM likewise explained that under the RA 11696, or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022, MCB was created “to facilitate the tax-free payment of compensation or reparations to qualified individuals whose properties and possessions were lost or destroyed due to the 2017 Marawi Siege.”
On the other hand, Section 41 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 11696 “establishes the framework for determining the monetary compensation claims due to each eligible claimant for loss of lives.”
“It also mandates the MCB to determine the monetary compensation and award of the lawful owner based on the Fair Market Value or replacement cost of the total or repair cost of partially damaged structures of the residential, cultural, and commercial properties,” DBM said in a statement.