The prolonged and permanent displacement, long-overdue monetary compensation, and the dire situation of displaced families reflect “the true face of Marawi’s rehabilitation.”

The Reclaiming Marawi Movement (RMM), a group led by internally displaced persons (IDPs) demanding for their immediate return, called on the Marcos Jr. administration to fast-track the release of the monetary compensation, which property owners are entitled to under the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act.

Many claimants have used their compensation for house repair, as reflected in a study conducted last year by the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB), the government body that awards monetary compensation.

MCB data revealed that a total of 3,699 claims were resolved from 2023 to June 30, 2026, amounting to P6.154 billion. This is 25.51 percent of the estimated 14,497 total claims to be resolved by the body by 2028.

Ramadan Muntor, RMM coordinator, told Bulatlat that many families currently living in temporary shelters have yet to receive their compensation. On the other hand, he called on Marcos Jr. that the provision of permanent shelters should be for all, including those sharers and renters displaced by the war. 

“Their livelihoods are here,” he stressed.

Based on the available information gathered by Bulatlat from various government agencies and offices, at least more than 2,100 permanent housing shelters intended for Marawi displaced families were completely built in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur. 

This is apart from the ongoing project constructions.

Marawi Advocacy Accompaniment, a coalition of IDPs and civil society groups, monitored around 17,000 families, or around 80,000 individuals, still living and surviving their dire situation in what it described as rusty and dilapidated temporary shelters in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur.

Read: After 9 years, Marawi displaced families have yet to return to their homes

While waiting for a livable relocation, RMM has been urging the government to spearhead the negotiation with the landowners of temporary shelters for extension to avoid any eviction threat. The government, Muntor said, should also at least extend assistance to repair the deteriorating shelters.

Read: Displaced Marawi residents face eviction from temporary shelter

Moreover, the group demanded an independent inquiry to know the circumstances that led to the destructive 2017 Marawi Siege. “People won’t be displaced without the war,” Muntor said.

Marawi City-based Moro Consensus Group earlier criticized the Rodrigo Duterte administration for using excessive force—through heavy bombardment—in dealing with the Islamic State-inspired Maute group.

On May 23, war-displaced families and support groups marked with a protest the ninth year of the five-month battle that ravaged the Islamic City, demanding their Kambalingan—a Meranaw term for dignified return.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a history professor from the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City and convenor of Marawi Advocacy Accompaniment, earlier said the prolonged and permanent displacement, long-overdue monetary compensation, and the dire situation of displaced families reflect “the true face of Marawi’s rehabilitation.” (RVO)