i 
c 
'04 4UN 30 m:45 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The performance of the Hajj rite to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a fundamental 
duty of all Muslims worldwide as it is the Fifth Pillar of Islam. 
In the Philippines, the conduct of the annual Muslim pilgrimage has been institutionalized 
since 1978 when the defunct Philippine Pilgrimage Authority (PHILPA) was created pursuant to 
P.D. No. 1302. The institutionalization of the annual Hajj was aimed at providing for a 
systematic administration of the annual undertaking and also eliminating malpractices 
perpetrated in the past. 
Following the bloodless revolution in 1986, PHILPA was abolished and its functions 
were transferred to the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) by virtue of Executive Order. No. 122- 
A, under the office's Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment (BPE). The Bureau is primarily 
responsible for the supervision of the annual Muslim pilgrimage. 
In the past years, the conduct of Hajj was marred with irregularities and charges of 
mismanagement as aired in various complaints from Muslim pilgrims. The perennial problems 
encountered ranged from the failure of intending pilgrims to join the Hajj citing administrative 
lapses by responsible government agency, the amount of fees required, delays in the processing 
and issuance of travel documents, to airline and billeting accommodations, among others. An 
examination of these problems pointed to certain loopholes in E.O. 12-A which failed to provide 
for a clear responsibility and safeguards against abuse in the management discretion. 
In view of the foregoing and the urgency of the measure with the view of its annual 
observance, approval of this Bill is earnestly urged. 


’04 JUN 30 PI1 :46 
‘ ’ 
RECEIVED BY:,+ 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
811 
~~~~ 
~ 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VLLAR JR. 
AN ACT AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 122-A, AS AMENDED BY 
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 295, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ACT CREATING THE 
OFFICE ON MUSLIM AFFAIRS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assem bled: 
SECTION 1. 
Section 4 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: 
PRU WDED, THAT THE SUPERVISION ACCORDED THE 
BUREAU UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL NOT INCLUDE CONTROL, Awqaf 
(endowment) properties and institutions; and the conduct of researches x 
x 
X.” 
“IN THE PURSUANCE OF THE ABOVE RESPONSIBILITIES, THE BUREAU SHALL 
FORMULATE THE NECESSARY GUIDELINES TO 
INSURE: THE TIMELY 
PROCESSING 
OF PILGRIMS’ 
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS; 
EQUITABLE AND 
REASONABLE FEES: PROVIDED, THAT COLLECTION 
OF FEES SHALL BE 
LIMITED TO MUTAWIFF AND PASSPORTING/PROCESSING ONLY: PROVIDED, 
HOWEVER, THAT, COLLECTED FEES SHALL BE DEPOSITED IN SPECIAL TRUST 
FUND WHICH SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BY THE OFFICE AND THE EXPENSES 
FROM WHICH SHALL BE SUBJECT TO EXISTING AUDITING LAWS, RULES AND 


REGULATIONS; THE ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL AND PROVINCIAL HAJJ 
COORDINATING AND MONITORING UNITS; ACCREDITATION OF QUALIFIED 
AND DESERVING SHIEKS; AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, STRICT COMPLIANCE 
WITH THE FORMULATED TIMETABLE OF HAJJ ACTIVITIES; FREE CHOICE OF 
TRAVEL AGENCIES AND AIRLINES OR OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION 
BY PILGRIMS TO AND FROM THE SITE OF PILGRTMAGE: 
PXOVIDED, 
FURTHER, THAT PILGRIMS COULD COMPLY WITH THE PRESCRIBED 
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE SCHEDULES FIXED BY THE MINISTRY OF HAJJ OF 
THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA. 
X 
X 
X.” 
SEC. 2. 
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 3. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts 
Efectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved,