MANILA: The Marawi Compensation Board on Tuesday sought the Senate’s help in adding plantilla positions among their ranks to reach their target number of processed claims of households affected by the Marawi siege in 2017.
During the MCB’s budget deliberation, MCB chairperson Maisara Dandamun-Latiph told the Senate panel that they need 51 more plantilla positions to augment the agency’s current 122 plantilla and 82 contract of service positions.
‘Ang target po namin every year 2,160 dahil yun lang po yung kapasidad namin ngayon. Pero kung mapapabilis po namin at madadagdagan ang manpower, baka po matapos namin yung 3,000 annually na target namin, at by 2028 po tapos na po namin yung 12,000 (Our target every year is 2,160 because that is our present capacity. But if we can speed it up and increase the manpower, maybe we will meet the 3,000 annual target, and by 2028, the 12,000 [target]),” Dandamun-Latiph said.
The MCB is a quasi-judicial body that awards monetary compensation under Republic Act 11696, know
n as the Marawi Siege Victim’s Compensation Act of 2022.
It was given five years to process all the claims and will be forced to transfer the mandate to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development if it is unable to accommodate all claimants.
The board was given PHP1 billion for the compensation of victims of the siege as of March 2024.
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III recommended resolving the issue, citing, in particular, the request for additional plantilla positions for Accountant IV, saying it is justifiable based on their proposed PHP36 billion budget for next year.
‘What they want is to help, not to get detained,’ Pimentel said, noting that the huge amount needs an accounting expert to disburse it.
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa also expressed his support for the MCB’s request, saying what the MCB needs should be given to them.
‘I am willing to give you what you need because you made that request not for any other reason but for the efficiency purposes in the disbursement of yo
ur claims. So, we are here to support you if really necessary,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Robinhood Padilla highlighted the importance of proper compensation distribution to those affected by the 2017 Marawi conflict, thanking his colleagues for the additional support committed by the Senate for the MCB.
“Kaya napakasarap pong marinig na nakasuporta ang committee na ito. Katunayan may mga, siguro ang luha na pumatak sa aming mga mata ay kasagutan sa aming mga panalangin (It is very good to hear that this committee has voiced its support for the MCB. We shed tears of joy because our prayers are being answered),” he added.
From November 2023 to August 2024, the MCB resolved 685 cases. The figure is expected to reach 844 cases by the end of the year. The board targets to accommodate 2,160 claimants next year.
Source: Philippines News Agency
