Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. ___
Introduced by HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN of the Lone District of Basilan
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article III, Section 5 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, provides that: “No law shall be made
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise
and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall
forever be allowed … “
As
a
predominantly
Catholic
country,
many
establishments
and
buildings
–
be
it
government-owned, private or for the benefit of the public – have chapels or prayer rooms that
cater to the Catholic faithful. In hospitals, government buildings or even malls, there are always
areas reserved for their worship.
The Philippines’ Muslim population, whose numbers range anywhere from over 6 million to as
high as 12 million depending on the source of data, form a huge and significant part of our
citizenry. It is therefore imperative for the free exercise of their Islamic faith that prayer rooms
be also made available to them in government institutions and private establishments intended
for public use.
This measure seeks to mandate the establishment of at least one prayer room in every
government building, hospital and military camp, as well as privately owned establishments such
as malls, factories and hospitals. The number of prayer rooms may be augmented should the
need arises.
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February 8, 2023
12:47 pm
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Prayer is a high form of worship in any religion, and Muslims pray five times a day wherever
they may be situated. This measure will help millions of Muslim Filipinos by providing them a
place of prayer or by providing them easier access to prayer rooms whenever they are in
government buildings or private establishments.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is urgently sought.
HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN
Lone District of Basilan
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. ___
Introduced by HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN of the Lone District of Basilan
AN ACT MANDATING THE ALLOTMENT OF AT LEAST ONE (1) MUSLIM PRAYER
ROOM IN EVERY PORTS, AIRPORTS, TRANSPORT TERMINALS, GOVERNMENT
FACILITY, BUILDING, HOSPITAL, HOTEL, MILITARY CAMP, AND
PRIVATELY-OWNED MALL, FACTORY, HOSPITAL AND OTHER BIG BUSINESS
ESTABLISHMENT
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. There shall be allotted at least one (1) Muslim prayer room in every ports,
airports, transport terminals, government facility, building, hospital, military camp, and
privately-owned mall, hospital, hotel, factory and other big business establishment where
Muslim employees, visitors and customers can pray and freely practice their Islamic faith,
PROVIDED, that the number of prayer rooms in each government facility, building, hospital,
military camp, and privately-owned mall, hospital, hotel, factory and other big business
establishment can be increased should the need arises as determined by the implementing agency
of this Act.
SEC. 2. Within sixty (60) days from its approval, the National Commission on Muslim
Filipinos (NCMF), in consultation with the Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE), Department of National Defense (DND), and a representative from the
business sector, shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act.
SEC. 3. All laws, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.
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,
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