“Qd ,IUN 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLI 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
. 
, . Mrr.? 
’ i d ,  
. . < * . . T i  
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S. No. 
Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmeiia 111 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Hajj or Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the 
pillars of Islam and is thus a fundamental duty of all able-bodied Muslims 
worldwide. 
This bill proposes to explicitly define the mandate of the Office of Muslim 
Affairs (OMA), particularly in the administration of the annual Hajj. This will 
benefit Fi.lipino Muslims joining future Hajj who will be assured of efficient 
administrative support services from OMA especially with the establishment of 
regional and provincial Hajj coordinating units. 
The bill likewise allows Muslim pilgrims to choose their preferred travel 
agencies and airlines, a reverse of the current practice of OMA imposing on the 
pilgrims to avail of the services of only three (3) accredited travel agencies and 
the Philippine Airlines and Saudi Air. With this liberalized policy, travel agencies 
and airlines will thus compete to offer the lowest cost and attendant amenities to 
travelling pilgrims. The pilgrims will thus be afforded the opportunity to perform 
their Hajj at cheaper cost. 
In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
SERGIO O S M E ~ ~ A  
i i i  
Senator 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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S E N A T  
s. ho. 
Introduced by Senator S. R. QsmeAa 1111 
AN ACT 
AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 122-A, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS “THE ACT CREATING THE OFFICE ON MUSLIM AFFAIRS” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTlON 1. Section 16 of Executive Order No. 122-A, as amended, is 
hereby further amended to read as follows: 
“SECTION 16. Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment. -- 
The Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment shall be primarily 
responsible for the administration of the annual Muslim Pilgrimage 
to Mecca, Saudi Arabia; the formulation and implementation of 
programs, projects and activities for the efficient and effective 
administration and supervision of the conduct of pilgrimage 
activities: Awqaf (endowment) properties and institutions; and the 
conduct of researches and studies for the establishment and 
maintenance of hajj towns, Islamic centers and Awqaf projects. 
PROVIDED, THAT THE SUPERVISION PRACTICED BY THE 
BUREAU UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL NOT INCLUDE 
C 0 N TR 0 L . ’I 
“IN 
THE 
PURSUANCE 
OF 
THE 
ABOVE 
RESPONSIBILITIES, THE BUREAU SHALL FORMULATE THE 
NECESSARY GUIDELINES TO INSURE: 
A) 
TIMELY PROCESSING OF THE PILGRIMS’ TRAVEL 
DOCUMENTS; 
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B) 
EQUITABLE AND REASONABLE FEES: PROVIDED, THAT 
THE COLLECTION OF FEES SHALL BE LIMITED TO 
MU TA W F f  AND PASS PO RTI N G/P RO C E S S I N G 0 N LY: 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE COLLECTED FEES 
SHALL BE DEPOSITED IN A SPECIAL TRUST FUND 
WHICH SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BY THE OFFICE: 
PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE EXPENSES INCURRED 
FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF 
THE TRUST FUND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO EXISTING 
AUDITING LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS; 
FREE CHOICE OF TRAVEL AGENCIES AND AIRLINES OR 
OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION BY PILGRIMS TO 
AND FROM THE SITE OF PILGRMAGE: PROVIDED, THAT 
C) 
PILGRIMS SHOULD COMPLY WITH THE PRESCRIBED 
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE SCHEDULES FIXED BY THE 
MINISTRY OF HAJJ OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI 
ARAB I A; 
ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL AND PROVINCIAL HAJJ 
COORDINATING AND MONITORING UNITS; 
5) 
E) 
ACCREDITATION 
OF QUALIFIED AND 
DESERVING 
SHIEKS; AND 
AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH 
THE FORMULATED TIMETABLE OF HAJJ ACTIVITIES.” 
F) 
x x x  
SEC. 2. Repealing C/ause. - All laws, orders, issuances, rules and 
regulations or part thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved, 
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