IMPRESSED.Senator Ronald Dela Rosa presides over the Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation and Victims Compensation on Wednesday (Feb. 22, 2023) to get updates and reports from relevant government agencies on the rehabilitation and transformation of Marawi City. Dela Rosa said the water system in the city, which is still in the design stage, and the naming of the board were among the committee's priorities.(Photo courtesy of Senate PRIB) MANILA-Senator Ronald Dela Rosa on Wednesday commended the newly appointed officials of the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) for doing a great job so far in working to set up the newly established organization. Dela Rosa, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation and Victims' Compensation, said this was the first time that the members and resource persons of the committee were in good mood. "Ngayon, medyo maganda ang takbo ng hearing namin. Nagpapalakpakan kasi yung ating Marawi Compensation Board na bago lang binuo ni President [Ferdinand] Marcos [Jr.], three weeks old pa lang siya pero andami na nilang nagawang accomplishments (Now, our proceedings were quite good. They are all clapping because our Marawi Compensation Board, which was just recently formed by President Marcos, only three weeks old but they have accomplished so much)," the lawmaker told Senate reporters. "Talagang mabilis at tagos sa puso yung kanilang commitment na maayos yung problema sa Marawi, yung mga Marawi victims. Mabilis yung kanilang aksyon (Their commitment to address the problems in Marawi (victims) is really swift and heartfelt). So, we're very happy. Ako, I really feel contented sa kanilang ginagawa (in what they are doing)," he added. Considering the several issues raised during the hearing, Dela Rosa said the real problems will occur once the processing of claimants starts. Republic Act 11696, which provides for the creation of the MCB, was signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte April 13 last year. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed lawyer Maisara Dandamun-Latiph as the MCB chairperson with eight members of the Board who all took their oath of office before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Jan. 30, 2023. Dandamun-Latiph reported to senators that after the oath-taking, they immediately conducted the first meeting of the board with Bersamin and Senator Robinhood Padilla that was held at the Malacanang Palace. After two days, the Board met with Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman for the prompt release of their Operating Budget, Personal Services and Capital Outlay. "Naniniwala kami na (We believe that) the first 90-days ng job is very crucial for the success of any organization. Based po yun sa study kaya (That is based in a study that's why) we put heed into that warning," Dandamun-Latiph said. The DBM chief has repeatedly vowed to provide necessary support for the MCB and the rehabilitation and recovery of Marawi City. "The rehabilitation and recovery of Marawi City is a project that is close to my heart as a fellow Maranaoan," Pangandaman said in a previous statement. Under RA 11696, the MCB is tasked with facilitating the tax-free payment of reparations to "qualified claimants" who lost residential and commercial properties in the Marawi siege. The law also grants private property owners compensation based on the sum of the current market value of the land and the replacement cost of structures and improvements. After three years, the MCB, which should have already reported zero claims by then, willl be turning over their function to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. (PNA) }