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.

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.

During the dialogue led by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and the MCB, we stressed that the government was steadfast in its commitment to help the people get the justice and compensation they deserved.

The day-long discussions were designed to be open, constructive, and solutions-oriented because we believed that the victims must not be viewed only as individuals who must be compensated but as people who had to be heard and dreamed of a better future.

As explained by Chairperson Macarambon, the MCB has already made significant changes to its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to address bottlenecks in the compensation process.

Atty. Raifah Pamaloy-Hassan, MCB Board Secretary, outlined the following key amendments published on June 4, 2025:

*  Streamlined Decision-Making: Claims with monetary awards of ₱10 million or less may now be decided with the concurrence of at least two division members. Claims exceeding ₱10 million are automatically elevated to the Board En Banc, reducing delays from previous procedures.

* Clarified Jurisdiction for MRRRP-Affected Properties: Properties affected by the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Program (MRRRP), Debris Management Programs, and UXO-related demolitions (Section 5 of RA 11696) will be compensated by their respective implementing agencies, such as the National Housing Authority (NHA). The MCB will focus on claims under Section 4, ensuring a more efficient process.

* Staggered Payment Scheme: To manage fund availability, awards of ₱4 million or less will be paid in full. Awards between ₱4 million and ₱12 million will receive an initial ₱4 million. Awards exceeding ₱12 million will receive one-third initially, with subsequent payments determined by the Board based on fund availability.

The MCB distributed an additional ₱24,389,779.94 to 21 claimants on Aug. 14, 2025. In total, the Board has disbursed ₱2,197,710,900.54 in compensation from the ₱3,091,114,710.06 worth of approved claims, covering 2,321 individuals impacted by the conflict.

Gov. Adiong recognized that while the MCB must work within its legal mandate, all branches of government must closely collaborate to provide the assistance the victims have long been waiting for.

Brig. Gen. Billy Dela Rosa of the 103rd Infantry Brigade said it best when he underscored that peace is not just the absence of war — it is creating an environment that is anchored on peace, mutual respect, and trust.

Civil society organizations, the media, and humanitarian actors like the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) and Kalimudan Inc. must continue to champion the welfare of the survivors and help amplify their voices.

As the former WestMinCom commander, who led the Liberation of Marawi on the ground, we assure the people of Marawi that we will continue to support your recovery. We honor your strength, faith and resilience. We will ensure that all claimants get the compensation that is rightfully theirs under the law.

And with the full support of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who is also a daughter of Marawi, there is now greater synergy and convergence among line agencies in their rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

This is President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ pledge to all of you. And we will make sure to deliver on this promise.

(Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., is the presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation and unity.)