P1 billion Marawi compensation fund eyed  

MANILA, Philippines — A total of P1 billion will be allocated under next year’s budget to compensate victims of the Marawi siege.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the amount would be used to indemnify residents who were displaced and lost their properties due to the armed conflict.

The Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Fund was included in the P31-billion calamity fund under the proposed P5.268 trillion budget for 2023.

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said priority should be given to residents aside from infrastructure rehabilitation.

“This is the first time that the budget was allotted solely for victim compensation,” Pangandaman said. “The compensation will greatly rev up the rehabilitation process and recovery of the war-torn city, especially our people.”

She noted that since 2018, the budget for Marawi was allocated only for rehabilitation efforts, such as infrastructure projects.

Under next year’s Marawi compensation fund, any lawful owner of residential, cultural and commercial structures as well as other properties in affected areas will be compensated.

The government will also compensate owners of private properties demolished with the implementation of the Marawi recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction program.

The reparation fund is provided under the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Law signed in April.

The law mandates that the amount necessary for the initial implementation of the program shall be charged against this year’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.

Thereafter, the amount as may be necessary, shall be included in the annual national budget.