Go vows continued support to Marawi

SEN. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go expressed optimism that the victims of the 2017 Marawi Siege are a step closer to getting necessary additional support to rebuild their lives after the Senate approved on third and final reading the Marawi Compensation Bill on Monday, January 31.

Senate Bill 2420 or the proposed "Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act" seeks to provide internally displaced persons compensation or reparation for houses destroyed and properties that can no longer be recovered due to the attack of Islamic State-linked terrorists in the city.

Go, co-author of the bill, cited that the measure is expected to help more than 300,000 victims. He also noted that it is just one of the many initiatives of the government to help rehabilitate Marawi City, its residents and affected neighbors from the devastating loss they suffered.

Under the bill, any qualified owner of residential, cultural, commercial structures, and other properties in Marawi City's most affected areas and other affected areas shall also receive reparation from the government if the measure is enacted into law.

"To my brother Maranaos, we in the government are obliged to deliver your needs at this time. I thank my colleagues in the Senate for their action and support of this bill," Go said in Filipino.

"What is important to us with President Duterte is to see you fully recovered. We are in the middle of a pandemic but we will not stop until you are given enough support," he vowed.

The lawmaker commended the people of Marawi City including its local leaders for their courage and efforts to start anew amid these challenging times.

Go reassured that he will continue working to ensure that the country attains President Rodrigo Duterte's vision of long-lasting peace and development.

As a member of the Senate Special Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation, Go further appealed to fellow lawmakers and concerned government officials to continue pursuing support programs that would provide more opportunities for the Marawi siege victims to fully recover.

He stressed the need to revitalize disrupted socioeconomic activities in the city and other affected municipalities, saying, "It is very important now that we help one another. Let us continue what we have started to ensure the full recovery of Marawi."

Meanwhile, Go reiterated his appeal for the government to develop a more holistic a pproach in addressing local insurgency.

He reaffirmed his support to sustain necessary humanitarian and development projects in conflict-affected areas nationwide.

Source: TheManila Times