Senate approval of Marawi Compensation Bill hailed

Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman (Image: Al Jacinto)

DEPUTY SPEAKER and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman on Thursday praised senators who approved in second reading the Marawi Compensation Bill, referring to the southern Muslim city destroyed by five months of fighting between security forces and pro-ISIS militants.

The House of Representatives approved in September 2020 the consolidated version of House Bills 3418, 3543 and 3922 which seek to compensate Marawi residents whose properties were lost or destroyed in the May 2017 battle. 

Hataman and Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan authored the House Bill 3543. The bill seeks to provide compensation to owners of real estate properties destroyed in the war at P1,500 per square meter for residential houses and P2,000 per square meter for commercial establishments. 

The Senate approved Senate Bill 2420 on January 26. 

“Lubos naming ikinagagalak ang desisyon ng Senado na aprubahan sa 2nd Reading ang Marawi Compensation Bill, at kami ay nagpapasalamat sa ating mga senador na bumoto para dito. Magli-limang taon na simula noong mangyari ang Marawi Siege noong 2017, at hanggang ngayon ay marami pa rin sa ating mga kababayan doon ang hindi pa nakakauwi sa kanilang mga tahanan, hindi pa maitayo uli ang kanilang mga negosyo, at hindi pa makabangon mula sa bangungot ng digmaan,” Hataman said. 

If passed into law, Hataman said the Marawi Compensation Bill will greatly help the thousands of families affected by the war. 

“Alam nating hindi mababayaran ang mga sugat at pilat ng karahasang iniwan ng Marawi Siege, pero hangad natin ang agarang pagbangon ng ating mga kapatid na taga-Marawi, at malaking tulong itong sa pagsasagawa nito,” Hataman said. 

He also thanked Senators Sonny Angara, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Ronald dela Rosa, chairman of Senate Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation, and Miguel Zubiri, Joel Villanueva and Risa Hontiveros for their support. (Mindanao Examiner)