Senator Robin Padilla (File photo)
MANILA – Senator Robin Padilla has urged the government to explore other sources of funding, including PHP6 billion in unprogrammed funds, to fund compensation programs for victims of the 2017 Marawi siege.
Padilla made this call during his interpellation of the budget of the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) on Tuesday night, saying the threat of terrorism will continue if the victims are stuck in poverty.
“Hanggang ang pinangako natin na mga makukuha nilang masasabi nating compensation sa gobyerno hanggang di natin nabibigay, lumalakas ang threat na yan sapagka't yan ang gagamitin ng mga terorista para kumbinsihin pa ang mga bata kasi ang karamihan sa naimpluwensyahan ng teroristang ito mga bata, sila ang kinamkam ang pagiisip at naniwala sa ideology na terorismo (So long as we do not give the victims the compensation due them, the terrorist threat may strengthen because terrorists will influence people still stuck in poverty, especially the youths)," he said.
He said the MCB’s PHP1 billion budget may not be enough “because the amount may be spent in three to four months.”
Padilla also said the government must make sure the 2017 siege victims are given means of livelihood.
He said it would be good to explore non-monetary programs being drawn up by the MCB, especially in coordination with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's Ministry of Social Welfare and Development.
In response, Senator Risa Hontiveros, sponsor of the MCB budget, said the Board plans to provide recipients of the compensation with financial literacy skills training.
Hontiveros also said they are exploring additional resources for the MCB so it can fulfill its mandate, even as the Board is also ensuring compensation for non-Muslim victims of the siege.
So far, she said almost 90 percent of death claims are for non-Muslim laborers.
The first batch of recipients of monetary awards involve death claims, and a commemorative program has been organized to give the first batch of awards - timed with the anniversary of Marawi's liberation. (PNA)
