THE Department of Budget and Management on Tuesday approved the issuance of a special allotment release order (SARO) amounting to P1 billion for victims of the 2017 attack on Marawi City in Lanao del Sur by terrorist groups.

In a statement, the DBM said the amount will compensate 574 beneficiaries and recipients, specifically for structural damages and death claims.

The compensation, which is tax-free, covers claims for both “fully and partially damaged” structures, as well as for lives lost during the conflict.

The SARO was approved on September 24 and is chargeable against the 2024 General Appropriations Act.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the fund release is part of the government’s efforts to provide assistance to those impacted by the siege, specifically support for recovery and rehabilitation.

Last year, the budget department approved a P1-billion SARO to cover 362 victims who received the compensation under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund. The siege was launched by the Maute and other terrorist groups in May 2017 and lasted until October that year. The five-month fighting between the terrorists and government forces left some 1,000 terrorists and at least 200 civilians, soldiers, and policemen dead.