MARAWI CITY — Nearly eight years after the guns fell silent in the 2017 Marawi Siege, thousands of displaced residents continue to grapple with the slow path to recovery. As of April 15, 2025, the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) has awarded over ₱1.79 billion in financial assistance to qualified claimants — a much-needed step forward, but one that for many has come painfully late.
The MCB reported that out of 1,857 claims filed, 1,430 have been approved, amounting to more than ₱2.46 billion in total. Of these, 1,052 claimants have already received their compensation, helping families and individuals rebuild lives that were shattered by the five-month urban conflict.
Under the leadership of Chairperson Atty. Moslemen T. Macarambon, the Board says it is working to ensure the process remains transparent and efficient. “We are committed to delivering justice with urgency and integrity,” Macarambon said. “This is more than just financial assistance—it is a step toward restoring the lives and dreams of our people.”
But for many of Marawi’s residents, the wait has been agonizingly long — and the damage not only physical, but emotional and cultural. The delay in compensation has, for some, deepened the wounds left by the siege, as families remain displaced and uncertain about the future of their once-thriving communities.
Despite their strength and resilience, questions linger among the Maranao people: until when must they endure? Many still reside in temporary shelters that have, for all intents and purposes, become permanent homes. Others have been unable to return at all, as parts of their communities have been converted into commercial zones or cleared for new infrastructure, such as the sports complex and government facilities, leaving former residents with few options.
The MCB also reported 176 disapproved claims after a thorough vetting process, while 251 claims involving sharers, renters, and co-owners were consolidated to ensure fair distribution of the benefits.
Established under Republic Act No. 11696, the Marawi Compensation Board was created to address the loss and destruction of private properties and lives caused by the siege. While the compensation rollout is now underway, the long delay serves as a stark reminder that recovery is not just about rebuilding structures — it is about restoring dignity, security, and belonging to a community that has waited too long for both justice and healing.