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13TH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
Explanatory Note 
Muslim affairs in the PMppines is a major component of the Filipino society's 
search for devehpment and progress. In order to respond to the needs of our 6.6 million 
Muslim brothers, the government has continuously carved ways to effectively assess and 
respond to the growing needs of the Philippine Muslim communiv. 
In this pursuit, the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) was created pursuant to 
Executive Order No. 122-A issued on January 30, 1987. 
The OMA is mandated to 
preserve and develop the culture, traditions, institutions and well-being of Muslim Filipinos, 
in conformity with the country's laws and in consonance with national unity and 
development. 
Specifically, the OMA endeavors to accomplish the following objectives: 
1.) Enhance the contribution of the Muslim Filipinos to national goals and aspirations to 
make them active participants in nation- building; 
2.) Ensure the integration and unification of the Muslim Filipinos in the mainstream of 
Philippine society'with due regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions and institutions; and 
3.) Promote the welfare and total development of the Muslim Filipinos. 
One of the functions of the OMA is to oversee the coordination, supemision and 
administration of the annual Muslim pilgrimage or Hajj. Since 1978 when the program was 
first institutionalized, the government, through the former Philippine Pilgrimage Authority 
from 1978 to 1986, and through the Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment, Office on 
Muslim Affairs from 1987 to present, has continuously been providing assistance to Muslim 
Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims. 
In the past years however, the conduct of Hajj was marked with anomalies and 
charges of mismanagement as manifested by complaints from Muslim pilgrims. 
The 
persistent problems ranged from the failure of expecting pilgrims to join the Hajj citing 
aWstrative lapses by responsible government agencies, the amount of fees required, 
delays in the processing and issuance of travel documents, to airline and billei3ng 
accommodations, among others. 
A further review of these problems pointed to certain 
loopholes in E.O. 122-A which failed to provide for a clear responsibility and safeguards 
against abuse in the management discretion. 
In order to eradicate and cdrrect these 
afford a greater number of 
s bill is earnestly sought. 
Filipino Muslims performing Hajj at a lower 


13TH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced bv Senator Raloh G. Recto 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTION 4 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. UZ-A, AS AMENDED 
BY EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 295 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ACT 
CREATING THE OFFICE ON,MUSLIM AFFAIRS 
Be it enacted 6Ji the Senate and House ofhpresentatives ofthe Phihppines in Congress ammbled: 
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SECTION 1. 
Section 4 of Executive Order No. 122-A, as amended, is hereby 
further amended to read as follows: 
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"Section 16. Bureau $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: PROVZDED, THAT THE 
SUPERVISION ACCORDED THE BUREAU UNDER THIS SECTION 
SHALL NOT INCLUDE CONTROL, Awqaf (endowment) and institutions; and 
the conduct of researches x x x." 
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"IN THE PURSUANCE OF THE ABOVE RESPONSIBILITIES, 
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THE BUREAU SHALL FORMULATE THE NECESSARY GUIDELINES 
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T O  INSURE TIMELY PROCESSING OF THE PILGRIMS' TRAVEL 
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DOCUMENTS; 
EQUITABLE 
AND 
REASONABLE 
FEES; 
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COLLECTION OF FEES SHALL BE LIMITED T O  MUTAWIFF AND 
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PASSPORTING/PROCESSING ONLY; COLLECTED FEES SHALL BE 
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DEPOSITED IN SPECIAL TRUST FUND WHICH SHALL BE 
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ESTABLISHED BY THE OFFICE, EXPENSES FROM WHICH SHALL 
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BE SUBJECT T O  EXISTING AUDITING LAWS, 
RULES AND 
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REGULATIONS; FREE CHOICE OF TRAVEL AGENCIES AND 


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AIRLINES OR OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION BY PILGRIMS 
TO AND FROM THE SITE OF PILGRIMAGE: PROVIDED, THAT 
PILGRIMS COULD COMPLY WITH THE PRESCRIBED ARRIVAL AND 
DEPARTURE SCHEDULED FIXED BY THE MINISTRY OF HAJJ OF 
THE 
KINGDOM 
OF 
SAUDI 
ARABIA, 
ESTABLISHMENT 
OF 
REGIONAL 
AND 
PROVINCIAL 
HAJJ 
COORDINATING 
AND 
MONITORING UNITS; ACCREDITATION OF QUALIFIED AND 
DESERVING SHIEKS AND AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, STRICT 
COMPLIANCE WITH THE FORMULATED TIMETABLE OF HAJJ 
ACTIVITIES .” 
SEC. 2. Repealzng Clause. All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof inconsistent with h s  Act are hereby repealed, amended or modfied accordmgly 
SEC. 3. Effectzvzg. Ths Act shall take effect upon Its approval 
Approved, 
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