MARAWI City— Compensation for residents who lost homes and property during the 2017 Marawi siege is expected to reach ₱7.1 billion by the end of October, with 380 claimants set to receive a combined ₱505.7 million this month.
The Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) has resolved 6,247 claims and awarded ₱6.597 billion so far, Board Member Jamaica L. Dimaporo said.
The latest round of compensation, held in line with the ninth anniversary commemoration of the Marawi Liberation, is expected to bring total awards to ₱7.103 billion.
For families who have waited years for assistance, the compensation can help repair damaged houses, rebuild destroyed homes and cover everyday expenses, including their children’s schooling.
Families plan to rebuild homes, support children
Three claimants who received compensation on Oct. 20 said the assistance would help them recover from losses suffered during the siege. They asked that their names not be published for security reasons.
A resident of Barangay Tolali, whose house was partially damaged, said the money would go toward repairs.
Another claimant from Barangay Norhaya Village said the compensation would help rebuild the family’s house after a long wait.
For a claimant whose house in Datu Saber was burned, the payout would help support six children and cover their daily needs.
The claimant, who evacuated to Maigo, Lanao del Norte, and now works as a construction foreman in Marawi, also expressed plans to return.
“Dako kayo akong pasalamat sa gobyerno kay sa dugay nga panahon nga nagpaabot mi aning tabang niabot na gyud,” the claimant said.
The claimant said the assistance would help provide for the children’s schooling and the family’s daily expenses.
Missing documents, family disputes delay claims
The MCB aims to finish adjudicating the remaining claims by the end of December 2027.
However, incomplete documentary requirements and disagreements among family members continue to delay some applications, Dimaporo said.
The board raffles around 300 to 350 claim folders to its divisions each month. When a folder has complete documents and no complications, the division can prepare a resolution within a week, she said.
This means claimants whose applications lack required documents or involve conflicting claims among family members may need to address those issues before their cases can be resolved.
Compensation recognizes losses from the siege
Dimaporo said the compensation reflects the government’s obligation to recognize the harm and damage claimants and internally displaced persons suffered during the conflict.
For affected families, the payments offer financial assistance as they work to restore their homes and meet their household needs nearly a decade after the siege.
The board’s target is to complete the adjudication of the remaining claims by December 2027. (With a report from APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
