FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S.B.No. 2061 
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Introdnced by Senator EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The introduction of Islamic faith in the Philippines has immensely contributed to 
the enrichment, vibrance and diversity of our unique culture and civilization. 
The Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque at Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi 
was constructed by an Arabian Missionary in 1380 A.D. Sometime in 1965, the late 
President Ferdinand E. Marcos and First Lady Imelda Marcos went to the site to install a 
historic marker giving it recognition as the first mosque in the Philippines. 
The Regional Government of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, 
through its Legislative Assembly, has already passed a regional law declaring the inclusion 
of the Sheikh Makhdum centennial celebration as one of the Islamic events entitled to a 
special non-working holiday within the ARMM. 
This bill seeks to declare the Sheikh Karimadul Mosque as national shrine. This 
will give the necessary recognition to the contribution of Islam in the development of 
culture and civilization in our country. 
This proposed measure will also be a sign to our brother Moslems in Mindanao, 
that they are being accorded due and equal recognition by the national government. 
For the above-mentioned reasons, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Sessioll 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 2061 
Introduced by Senator EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
AN ACT 
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DECLARING THE SHEIKH KARIMUL MAKHDUM MOSQUE, 
CONSIDERED AS THE FIRST AND OLDEST MUSLIM HOUSE OF PRAYER OR 
MOSQUE IN THE PHILIPPINES, CONSTRUCTED IN 1380 A.D. AT TUBIG, 
INDANGAN, SIMUNUL, PROVINCE OF TAW-TAW, AS A NATIONAL SHRINE, 
AND FOR OTHERPURPOSES 
Be it enacted in the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in the 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Statemellt of Policy. - It is hereby declared to be the policy of the 
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State to preserve historical siles, monuments and other relics, which represent our 
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indigenous Filipino cultural of the nation and shall be under the protection of the State, 
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heritage and treasure. 
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SEC. 2. Declaration as National Shrine. - Consistent wilh the Constitutional 
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mandate 10 conserve, promote and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage, 
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the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque located at Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Province of 
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Tawi-Tawi, which was constructed in 1380 A.D. and considered as the first and oldest 
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Muslim House of Prayer of Mosque in the Philippines is hereby declared a national shrine 
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to underscore the immense contribution of Islamic faith to the enrichment, vibrance and 
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diversity of our culture and civilization. 
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SEC. 3. Power of the NHI to Issue Rules. For this purpose, the National Historical 
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Institute (NHI) shall exercise supervision over the preservation of the aforesaid site and 
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shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to effectuate the preceding sections of this 
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Act. 
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SEC. 4. Appropriation. The necessary funding for the purposes ofthis Act, shall be 
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provided for in the annual appropriations for the NHI, which shall, henceforth issue the 
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appropriate disbursements. 
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SEC. 5. Fund-raising Program. In order to afford the people an opportunity to 
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participate in financing the preservation, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of the shrine, 
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the NHI is hereby authorized to organize and undertake a national fund campaign for the 
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purpose ofraising funds from private sources. 
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SEC. 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect upon approval. 
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Approved, 
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