Marawi compensation funds start to flow

FINALLY The first batch of 22 families of those killed in the 2017 Marawi siege line up to receive their compensation checks on Monday in Marawi City. —RICHEL V. UMEL

MARAWI CITY—After a long wait, the funds intended to compensate victims of the Marawi siege in 2017 had started to flow as the first batch of 22 families received their checks on Monday.

The compensation was for death claims, according to Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) Chair Maisara Damdamun-Latiph.

The awarding of checks was held at the Cultural Heritage Center of the Mindanao State University campus here.

As of Nov. 15 this year, the MCB had confirmed the compensation award that would be given to 59 death claimants at P350,000 each, tax free, per Republic Act No. 11696, or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022.

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Verified claims

The total funds released on Monday was P8.05 million, with one family given compensation for the loss of two members.

“More recipients for death claims will be released next month,” Latiph said.

Under RA 11696, the MCB is the main agency that will receive, process and approve claims, as well as release the amount of approved compensation to eligible beneficiaries.

For this year, the MCB is prioritizing the payment of verified claims for death, then damaged structures. The MCB had so far processed 303 structure claims.

Destroyed (“totally damaged”) properties are to be paid P18,000 per square meter if these are made of concrete, P13,500 if mixed concrete and wood, and P9,000 if light materials or mainly wood. Damaged (“partially damaged”) structures will be compensated P12,000 per square meter if it is concrete, P9,000 if mixed concrete and wood, and P6,000 if light materials.

Lawyer Moslemen Macarambon Sr., an MCB member, said most of the recipients of death claims were Christians who worked in the city and were trapped during the siege.

Romniel Baroy, 13, from Barangay Tubod of Iligan City was the youngest recipient to receive a check for the death of his father, Edgar Baroy. He was accompanied by his uncle.

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Emotional moment

As families of siege victims gathered for the compensation award, the occasion turned into an opportunity for the release of emotions as kin recalled the tragedy that befell their family members.

Leticia Palahang, 53, of Baraas, Iligan City, remembered his son Victor Jr. as a multiskilled worker who was then working at the residence of the city mayor, Majul Gandamra.

“A survivor confirmed the death of my son,” Palahang said. “I have to move on and earn a living, just like how my son was working and earning to support us when he was still alive,” she added.

After six years, Jovita Amarga, 55, of Retablo, Libertad town in Misamis Oriental province, could still not contain her emotions when retelling the fate of his husband, Edwin, and son Jowit. A survivor, according to her, confirmed that the two were killed in an airstrike.

Up to this day, the bodies of Edwin and Jowit have not been found.

“Though their lives cannot be equated with the money I received, I have to move on and start a new life.” said Amarga, who was thinking of building a new house and saving for the future needs of her other children. INQ