MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) -- The local government units of Marawi City and Lanao del Sur province assured support to displaced families seeking compensation due to the Marawi siege.

Provincial Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. said the provincial government has available lawyers ready to assist claimants with legal concerns.

City Mayor Majul Gandamra, on the other hand, said the city government will help applicants in producing the necessary documents for the processing of claims. He said the claimants just need to coordinate with the concerned offices of the city government for the documents required.

Both local chief executives, however, appealed to claimants to cooperate with the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) and not to submit fake documents.

"Let us be honest, because money will never be enough to pay the effects (of the siege) on our economic, social, emotional, and psychological well-being. Let us help ourselves. Like the concept of Bayanihan, each of us must rise from our individual struggles and work with one another for the better good," Gandamra said.

For Adiong, he implored the claimants to follow the compensation guidelines and submit the complete requirements as this would expedite the processing of their claims.

The MCB signed Tuesday, May 23, the final implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 11696 or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022. After this, the IRR will be published for 15 days in at least two newspapers of general circulation then the MCB will announce the commencement of the claims application. 

The MCB has an initial allocation of P1 billion for the current year solely for the compensation of siege survivors. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur).