Marawi compensation board: Turning a promise into reality

The 2017 Marawi siege brought unimaginable pain, suffering and destruction to its residents and to our nation. Homes were destroyed, more than a thousand lives were lost, and the social fabric of a once beautiful and thriving city was torn apart.

- SECRETARY CARLITO G. GALVEZ, JR.

Then, as Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) chief, I was there during the five-month long siege. After leading my men to battle during the day, I would attend the wake of fallen soldiers and residents who perished at night. The pain was unimaginable.

Although eight years have passed since that unfortunate incident, its memories still remain. And for many of the victims, the thought that gives them comfort is that they will one day be compensated for the harrowing experience they went through.

This was the promise given to them by the national government with the passage of Republic Act 11696, or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022, which led to the establishment of the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB).

This law should not be seen merely as a piece of legislation. Rather, it is a recognition by the government that the individuals whose lives have been forever changed by the siege must be fully supported so that they can completely recover and live with dignity.

This is the reason I flew to Mindanao last August 13 to attend the MCB Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue in Marawi City. Together with MCB Chairperson Atty. Moslemen T. Macarambon, Sr, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong Jr, the military, and others, our goal was to find ways to improve the compensation process for victims while ensuring greater transparency, accountability, and fairness.