Solon: Fast-track rehab of war-torn Marawi City
ON the occasion of the 4th year commemoration of the “liberation of Marawi” from the siege, Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan on Monday renewed her call to fast-track the promised rehabilitation of the war-torn city.
Sangcopan underscored the importance for the immediate return of the people to their homes and the immediate passage of the Marawi Compensation bill.
While AMIN appreciated the reiteration of President Rodrigo “Rody” R. Duterte’s commitment of bringing back the city to its former glory, Sangcopan expressed that rebuilding the lives of the displaced families should be given outmost importance.
She further vehemently requested from the President Duterte to certify urgent the Marawi Compensation bill, which has been passed on third and final reading in the House of Representatives.
“One doesn’t have to experience war to identify with the hardships of the people of Marawi. As a member of Congress, we are hoping and praying that the Marawi Compensation Act be legislated and commuted to Malacañang to become a law before the end of the year,” said Sangcopan.
Sangcopan also lauded members of the Senate for the approval at the committee level of the Marawi Compensation bill, a measure calling for the provision of just compensation to the victims of the 2017 siege including the damage and destruction to their property.
The lawmaker also expressed that they wanted a law that strongly supports the values the dignity of every person and guarantee full respect for human rights, including the rights of indigenous cultural communities and other vulnerable groups.
“We wanted the basic principles and guidelines of international human rights and humanitarian laws on the right to remedy and reparation of persons whose rights were violated and whose economic, social and cultural rights were affected by armed conflicts are present,” Sangcopan said.
The five-month battle destroyed 24 Marawi villages and displaced over a hundred thousand Maranaos. It was also estimated that up to P17 billion worth of property and economic opportunities were lost.
“The people of Marawi all wish to go home. Back to their hometown kung saan sila ipinanganak, naging mga malayang musmos, namuhay ng marangal, at bumuo ng kani-kanilang pamilya. Let us give them the chance to feel the normalcy of life back…a life they used to have four years prior. Let’s all be part in the rise of Marawi to its old or better glory as a City,” Sangcopan said.
