Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL No. 1378

Introduced by Representative
ZIAUR-RAHMAN “ZIA” ALONTO ADIONG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is one of the five
pillars of Islam and a deeply spiritual obligation for able-bodied Muslims. For Filipino
Muslims, it is not only a religious duty but a sacred journey that represents a once-
in-a-lifetime opportunity for many. However, for years, the management of the Hajj
by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) has been marred by
inefficiencies, complaints of mismanagement, lack of transparency, and limited
choices for pilgrims. These systemic issues have consistently undermined the quality,
affordability, and accessibility of the Hajj experience for Muslim Filipinos.

This bill seeks to address these longstanding concerns by reforming the current
government-led system and transitioning the administration of the Hajj pilgrimage
to the private sector, while retaining for the NCMF its role in representing the country
in official capacities and coordinating with relevant agencies. This move is in line with
global best practices where the private sector plays a key role in travel facilitation,
while government provides oversight and regulatory guidance.

Under the proposed amendments to Republic Act No. 9997, otherwise known as the
“National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009,” the Commission will no longer
engage in the procurement of services and flights, nor will it process documents or
collect fees on behalf of pilgrims. These functions will be privatized, allowing Muslim
Filipino pilgrims the freedom to choose their own travel agencies, service providers,
and airlines, promoting competition, improving services, and potentially lowering
costs.

The Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment will be limited to coordination, facilitation,
and monitoring of pilgrims' compliance, ensuring that standards are met and
complaints are addressed. The bill also institutionalizes the accreditation and
regulation of Sheiks or Hajj Operators, who will act as guides and liaisons between
pilgrims and service providers. These operators must be knowledgeable in Hajj rituals
and fluent in Arabic to ensure a meaningful experience for Filipino pilgrims.


Finally, the bill mandates the submission of a transition plan within six months from
the effectivity of the Act. This ensures accountability and a structured handover of
responsibilities from government to the private sector.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

REP. ZIAUR-
1st District,

[AN ALONTO ADIONG
nao del Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 1378

Introduced by Representative
ZIAUR-RAHMAN “ZIA” ALONTO ADIONG

AN ACT
PROVIDING BETTER SERVICES TO MUSLIM FILIPINO PILGRIMS
THROUGH PRIVATIZATION OF THE ANNUAL HAJJ PILGRIMAGE,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9997,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM
FILIPINOS ACT OF 2009”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9997, otherwise known as the “National
Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009,” is amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 8. Powers and Functions. - To accomplish its mandate, the Commission shall
have the following powers and functions:

(q) REPRESENT THE PHILIPPINE DELEGATION FOR THE ANNUAL HAJJ, SIGN
GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT AGREEMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE
ANNUAL HAJJ, and coordinate with pertinent offices to ensure the success of
the annual Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, BUT IS
PROHIBITED FROM PROCURING SERVICES AND FLIGHTS AND PROCESSING
DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE PHILIPPINE HAJ) DELEGATION.”

SEC. 2. Section 11 of the same Act is amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 11. Bureaus. - The Bureaus of the Commission shall consist
of the Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs, Bureau of Muslim
Cultural Affairs, Bureau of Muslim Settlement, Bureau of External
Relations, Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment, Bureau of Peace
and Conflict Resolution, and the Bureau of Legal Affairs. Each of
these Bureaus shall be headed by a Director who shall hold the
same rank, salary, and privileges of a Staff Bureau Director.
The Bureau Director shall be appointed by the President from


among the names or nominees submitted by the Commission to
the President.

(e) Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment. - This Bureau shall be
primarily responsible for ENSURING A SUCCESSFUL annual Muslim
pilgrimage to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia FOR THE BENEFIT
OF MUSLIM FILIPINOS BY COORDINATING WITH THE PERTINENT
OFFICES.”

The Bureau shall MONITOR the timely BOOKING OF TRAVEL
ARRANGEMENTS, SUCH AS FLIGHTS AND HOTELS, AND processing
of the pilgrim's travel documents, SUCH AS PASSPORTS AND
VISAS. HOWEVER, THE BUREAU SHALL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE ANNUAL HAJJ, INCLUDING THE
COLLECTION OF FEES, BOOKING OF HOTELS, PROCUREMENT OF
FOODS, MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES, ARRANGEMENT OF FLIGHTS
TO AND FROM THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, OR PROCESSING
OF VISAS.
The pilgrims shall be accorded free choice of travel agencies,
SERVICE PROVIDERS, and airlines FOR THE PURPOSE of AN
ANNUAL Hajj (PILGRIMAGE) IN the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The preparation FOR THE ANNUAL HAJ) SHALL BE ADMINISTERED
BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE BUREAU IS LIMITED TO
COORDINATION, FACILITATION, AND MONITORING OF PILGRIMS’
COMPLIANCE.

The Bureau shall KEEP A REGISTRY OF SHEIKS/HAJJ OPERATORS.
WHO ARE PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS OR ENTITIES ENGAGED IN
FACILITATING, PROCESSING, AND PROVIDING GUIDANCE TO
MUSLIM FILIPINOS FOR THE ANNUAL HAJJ. SHEIKS MUST SPEAK
ARABIC FLUENTLY AND HAVE AMPLE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HAJJ TO
HELP MUSLIM FILIPINOS EXPERIENCE A MEMORABLE AND
SUCCESSFUL HAJ).

The primary function of the SHEIKS/HAJ] OPERATORS IS TO
ENSURE PROPER COORDINATION BETWEEN THE COMMISSION
AND PILGRIMS FOR THE TIMELY DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS OF
THE PILGRIMS DURING THE ANNUAL HAJJ ACTIVITIES. THEY MAY
LOSE THEIR ACCREDITATION IF THEY ARE FOUND GUILTY OF
NEGLECTING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AFTER DUE PROCESS AND
HEARING.”

SEC. 3. Within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, the National
Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall submit a transition plan with timetable
to the Committee on Muslim Affairs of the House of Representatives and Committee
on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs of the Senate of the Philippines reflecting
the transfer of the administration of the conduct of the annual Hajj from the NCMF,
through the Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment, to the private sector.

The Secretary, Commissioners, and other responsible officers of the NCMF may be
held administratively liable under existing civil service laws for failure to submit the
transition plan. Such failure is also a cause for removal from office and the President
of the Philippines may exercise the power granted to the President under Section 7
of Republic Act No. 9997.


SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,