FREE LEGAL SERVICE. Lawyers and staff of the Lanao del Sur provincial legal office attend to clients who are claimants under the Marawi Compensation Program on Monday (July 10, 2023) in Marawi City. The compensation is intended for families who lost properties and family members during the 2017 Marawi siege. (Photo courtesy of Lanao del Sur PIO)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Lanao del Sur provincial government launched Monday free legal services to claimants under the Marawi Compensation Program whose houses were affected by the 2017 siege.
The Provincial Legal Services Office (PLSO) organized the legal assistance hub with lawyer Faisal Pacalna Cali leading the initiative as part of the observance of the month-long 64th Araw ng Lanao del Sur.
Other than legal consultation, PLSO lawyers and staff will also provide Marawi compensation claimants' notarial services and drafting of simple non-commercial documents to expedite the processing of their requirements to the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB).
On July 4, the MCB began accepting applications for compensation claims from families who lost properties and family members during the 2017 Marawi siege.
The MCB chairperson, lawyer Maisara Damdamun-Latiph, said they have so far received around 12,000 bookings for July and August.
"The operation is very smooth and well-arranged. Their management is good," she said.
Claimants can also bring their lawyers to make the process easier. The compensation claims cover properties located in the 24 barangays in Marawi City's "most affected areas."
The PLSO's free assistance is in partnership with the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Lanao del Sur, the Public Attorneys' Office - Lanao del Sur, the National Prosecution Service-Lanao del Sur, and the Mindanao State University College of Law. (PNA)
