MANILA: The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday urged the national government to expedite the distribution of compensation to internally displaced families in Marawi City.
“Delays in disbursing benefits will lead to further repercussions such as food insecurity, inadequate sanitation facilities, and increased security risks,” CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc said in a statement.
The families were displaced during the five-month conflict between the forces of the national government and the Maute Group in 2017.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), approximately 16,070 families, or around 80,300 individuals, are living as internally displaced persons (IDPs) since 2017.
They have resided in transitional shelters provided by the national government, under a five-year lease agreement between the landowners and the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM).
However, in 2023, with the expiration of these leases, the families were forced to relocate or p
ay rent, among other financial responsibilities, to sustain their basic needs.
Some IDPs have voiced concerns that the compensation offered does not reflect the current inflation rate and the rising cost of construction materials.
Consequently, they appealed to the national government to reassess their properties based on fair market value to ensure that the compensation package aligns with prevailing economic conditions.
The CHR said it supports the review of Republic Act 11696 or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022 which aims to determine whether a law amendment could address issues related to appraisal standards.
‘Being impacted by conflict and displacement is already traumatic. For seven years, these families have yearned to return to their normal lives. We urge all stakeholders to collaborate and expedite lasting solutions, enabling them to not only rebuild their homes but also their lives,’ Palpal-latoc said.
He said CHR is appealing to the national government and the local government
units for the implementation of measures that prepare for and respond to emergencies resulting in internal displacement, adhering to the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as established by the UN OCHA.
Moreover, the CHR has called on lawmakers to pass House Bill 8269 or the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Act, which guarantees a human rights-based approach for the protection and promotion of the rights of IDPs and other non-combatants in accordance with International Humanitarian Law and other international treaties and conventions if passed into law.
The TFBM mandate expired on March 31 through Administrative Order 14 series of 2023 that was released by the Office of the President in December 2023.
The current administration said it does not end the national government’s mission for Marawi City as it is just the start of a new chapter of rehabilitation.
Source: Philippines News Agency