Marawi siege victims still homeless

MARAWI CITY - Grand Mosque Chairperson Saidamen Pangarungan said he wished for the total healing of his fellow internally displaced persons (IDPs) here, who have been continuously haunted by the tragic memories of the 2017 siege by Muslim extremists allied with ISIS.

Pangarungan said among his fervent wishes include the immediate restoration of the destroyed houses and other structures in the city. He said six years had passed and many locals have failed to return to their homes.

He said their ultimate desire would only be realized if the Marawi Compensation Board, which was established through the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act, took swift action on their urgent concerns.

“Ang daming na-dislocate na Muslim settlers dito sa Marawi. Sana ang Marawi Compensation Law ay kailangan na ma-implement agad so they (Marawi Compensation Board,) can act immediately on the claims of all homeowners affected by the siege,” Pangarungan said.

Pagarungan said he also prayed for the recovery of the country from the Covid-19 pandemic that affected everybody, especially the economy. He also desired sturdy support for the programs implemented under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“We should all unite together…suportahan natin ang administration natin para maka-recover tayo sa pandemic at destruction caused by the siege in Marawi,” he said.

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.

Deputy Speaker Mujiv 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. (Claire R. Gigje, Mindanao Examiner)