The Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) and the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) were the latest agencies to have their proposed 2025 budgets approved at the plenary deliberations of the General Appropriations Bill of the House of Representatives.
Committee on appropriations vice chairperson Representative Zia Alonto Adiong said P1 billion out of the P1.154 billion budget of the MCB was earmarked for the compensation of the victims of the Marawi siege.
Adiong added that the MCB has received 5,752 property claims; 1,192 death claims; 99 claims on multiple death, 210 structure property claims; and 8,292 multiple claims.
“The MCB adjudicates an average of 2,160 cases a year.“
The legislator explained that the MCB adjudicates an average of 2,160 cases a year.
“Mula noong nakaraang taon, ang MCB ay nagpoproseso ng 160 cases per month. Kaya’t sumang-ayon tayo na sa pamamagitan ng karagdagang pondo na ilalaan para sa personnel at operating expenses, mas mapapabilis pa ang pagpoproseso ng mga cases ng ating mga kababayan sa Marawi City,” the lawmaker stressed.
The Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) was created under Republic Act 11696 to facilitate the tax-free payment of compensation or reparations to qualified individuals whose properties and possessions were lost or destroyed during the 2017 Marawi siege.
It is mandated to ensure just and fair distribution of compensation to the victims, uphold their rights and provide necessary support for them to rebuild their lives.
Adiong also sponsored P113.11 million proposed 2025 budget of the NAC.
He reported that some 904 former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF have applied for amnesty; another 113 from the MILF; 50 from the MNLF; and two from the RPM-RPA-ABB.
According to Adiong, the different amnesty boards of the NAC are currently vetting the applicants to see if they are indeed entitled to amnesty.
He underscored the importance of allocating sufficient funds for the NAC in the larger goal of achieving lasting peace in the country.
“Dalawang taon lamang ang ibinigay para sa NAC at maliit lamang ang kanilang hinihinging budget increase upang magampanan ang kanilang mga tungkulin.”
“Dalawang taon lamang ang ibinigay para sa NAC at maliit lamang ang kanilang hinihinging budget increase upang magampanan ang kanilang mga tungkulin kabilang na rin ang pagtatag ng additional 10 local amnesty boards upang mas madami ang maabot ng mga serbisyo ng ahensya,” Adiong stressed.
