Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has reaffirmed his continuing support to Marawi City’s full rehabilitation and recovery from the devastating attack of Islamic State-linked terrorists five years ago.
Go reiterated his support to the city after it was revealed during the Senate Special Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation and Victims Compensation public hearing last February 22 that at least 17,000 claimants are set to be compensated.
His fellow Mindanaoan lawmaker, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla, who is a Muslim, has also expressed their support to the speedy recovery of Marawi City.
“Importante po dito maibigay ang kompensasyon doon sa mga kababayan natin lalung-lalo na ‘yung mga Maranao victims na talagang doon nakatira (It is important to give compensation to our countrymen, especially the Maranao victims who actually live there),” Go said.
Recognizing the efforts and sacrifices of Maranaos, the senator also said that he is persistent in helping the government attain long-lasting peace and development in the city and the whole of Mindanao.
Go also stressed the need to prioritize the welfare of the affected residents to ensure that the community builds back better.
“Marahil po ay dapat unahin ng head ng Marawi Rehabilitation ang mga mahihirap po para makabangon pong muli. Kaya nga po 'Bangon Marawi', makakabangon po ang ating mga kababayan doon. Tulungan po natin sila lalung-lalo na po ang mahihirap (Perhaps the head of Marawi Rehabilitation should prioritize the poor so that they can get back on their feet. That's why we call it 'Bangon Marawi', so our countrymen can rise up there. Let's help them, especially the poor),” he said.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte had earlier signed Republic Act No. 11696, or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022.
Under the law, the government will provide the necessary support to the victims of the 2017 Marawi City siege in order to reconstruct their houses and other buildings that were damaged or totally destroyed during the conflict.
The law also provides compensation or reparation to internally-displaced persons (IDPs) and for houses destroyed and properties that can no longer be recovered due to the attack of the terrorists in the city.