Duterte Maraui has signed the compensation law, Metro Davao said

President Rodrigo Rodrigo R. Duterte has approved a system of compensation for those who lost family members and property due to five months of fighting in 2017 between the blockading state forces and Daesh-inspired extremists in the southern Philippine city of Maraui.

The heirs of those who lost their lives during the siege of Marawi are entitled to compensation under Republic Act No. 11696, signed by Mr. Duterte on 13 April.

Owners of residential, cultural, and commercial structures and other private property in the so-called “major affected areas”” Those who have been killed in heavy gun battles will also receive tax-free compensation according to the law. The law has a list of 24 barangays.

The measure, which was only approved by Congress this year, provides a compensation to private property owners based on the sum of current market value of land and current replacement costs.

Under the law, property owners who have been destroyed under the Maraui Rehabilitation Program will also receive compensation.

“It was an ups and downs when we started fighting for the rights of the survivors of the siege of Maraui. We never thought we would witness this day,” Rolanisa Deepatuan-Dimaporo, a doctor who works in the area‘s members of the Ministry of Health and Maraui Reconstruction Conflict Watch, said in a statement issued by the group.

“This critical law identifies the most important steps, processes and processes for the complete recovery of Marawi where people have lost their loved ones and the owners of destroyed and destroyed property.A Will now be established and the victims will now be able to file their claims for compensation,” He said.

The government, through an inter-agency task force, is restructuring public structures and building new housing complexes for displaced residents who need to be relocated permanently.

Rehabilitation programs have been criticized for delays and lack of transparency.

On the other hand, Housing Secretary Eduardo D. Del Rosario, head of the Maraui Task Force, said they had a schedule to complete a “significant” number of ongoing projects by June 30.

“We are on track to complete a number of infrastructure projects by the end of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s term,” he said after his monthly visit to the city last week.

Metro Davao
Mr Duterte also signed a proposal to create the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA), an agency that would coordinate an integrated urban development plan for Zone 11.

The Act designated as Republic Act 11708 was signed on 13 April.

It covers 15 cities and towns. These are: Davao City; Panabo, Tagum and Davao del Norte Samal Island Garden City; Digos City of Davao del Sur; Mati city of Davao Oriental; And the municipalities of Sta, Davao del Sur, Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag and Sulope; Davao del Norte Carmen; Macau in Davao de Oro; And Malita and Sta. Davao Maria Occidental.

The MDDA will also adopt a plan prepared by the Davao Regional Development Council, which includes integrated programs on sewerage and septic systems, infrastructure development, solid waste management, public transport and traffic management, and public safety and security.

Management funds for the MDDA will be allocated under the annual national budget and contributions from member local governments. – Kyle Aristophier T. Atienja And Marifi S. Zara