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 Monday afternoon.
Committee on appropriations vice chairperson Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said P1 billion out of the P1.154 billion of the MCB was earmarked for the compensation of the victims of the Marawi siege.
He 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. Adiong explained that the MCB adjudicates an average of 2,160 cases a year.
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.
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