TWO House leaders have lauded the efforts of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez on the passage on third and final reading of the proposed Marawi Compensation Bill, which will allow siege victims a dignified return to their beloved city.

Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman and Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan thanked their colleagues led by Velasco and Romualdez for ensuring the approval of House Bill (HB) 9925 or The Marawi Compensation Act last Monday.

“Ang tunay na Marawi ay hindi ang mga gusali, paaralan, palengke o parke na itinatayo ngayon, kundi ang mga mamamayan nito. They are truly the beating heart of Marawi. Hangga’t hindi sila natutulungan at makabalik ng may dignidad sa kanilang mga tirahan, hindi makakabangon ang tunay na Marawi,” Hataman said after the unanimous 197 votes in favor of the passage of the bill aimed at providing compensation to those who lost properties during the Marawi siege in 2017.

“Delayed man ng apat na taon, this could hopefully give Marawi citizens a new start. I am extremely grateful to all my colleagues in the House for seeing the importance of helping those in Marawi who, for over four years, have yet to rebuild their lives from the war that killed many of their loved ones, destroyed their houses, burned their livelihood, and taken so much from their families,” Hataman, former governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said.

“Isa itong malaking hakbang para sa isang panukala na magbibigay tulong sa mga taga-Marawi. Hindi man natin maibabalik ang mga nawala, sana ay mabigyan natin sila ng pag-asa para sa kinabukasan,” he added.

Sangcopan said the measure provides monetary compensation, through Task Force Bangon Marawi to qualified claimants for the loss or destruction of residential and commercial properties.

“We are very thankful to Speaker Velasco and Majority Leader Romualdez for working very hard in ensuring the passage of The Marawi Rehabilitation Center,” Sangcopan said.

“Kami din po ay hindi na makahintay na makamit ng komonidad ang mga programa at proyekto patungo sa tunay na pagbangon ng Marawi. Four years ago, we said together with every Maranao, Marawi will Rise. Hand in hand and with the help of the Almighty Allah, we will realize it,” Sangcopan said.

Hataman now called on the Senate, particularly members of the Senate Special Committee on the Marawi Rehabilitation, to expedite the approval of the counterpart measure in the chamber, Senate Bill No. 1395.

“Nanawagan ako sa mga butihin nating mga senador na kung maaari ay balangkasin na rin nila ang panukalang ito. Hindi po biro ang apat na taong pagdurusa ng ating mga kababayan sa Marawi, kaya’t sana’y sa kanilang pagbabalik ay may dignidad silang babangon,” the lawmaker from Basilan said.

He also expressed gratitude to his colleagues in the lower chamber, especially to House Velasco, Romualdez, Disaster Resilience Committee Chair Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez and TWG chair Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, for the approval of the measure.

In his sponsorship speech, Hataman said: “Malalim, masinsin, at mabusisi na ang naging debate ukol sa Bill na ito … Walang tanong na hindi nasagot; walang alinlangang hindi natugunan.”

“This bill … is ultimately about justice. Makatarungan na ibangon muli ang Marawi. Makatarungan na tulungan ang mga nadiskaril ang buhay upang makabalik sila sa landas ng kanilang mga pangarap. At ano pa nga ba ang trabaho natin dito kundi ang pumanday ng mga batas na makatarungan at makatao?” he added.

“The longer we delay, Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, the greater the risk of disaffection among the population of Marawi. Ang pagsasawalang-bahala, ang pang-eetsapuwera, ay nanganganak ng galit; ang galit, maaaring manganak ng gulo. This is precisely the cycle of neglect and Violent Extremism that we wish to avoid.”