) 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)  
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)  
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
s.No.3482 
Prepared by the Committees on Cultural Communities; Civil Service and 
Government Reorganization; and Finance with Senators Ejercito Estrada, 
Legarda, Pimentel, Jr., Zubiri, Madrigal, Lacson and Angara, as authors 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM FILIPINOS 
DEFINING ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "National Commission on 
2 
Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009", 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is henceforth the policy of the State to 
4 
ensure the rights and well-being of Muslim Filipinos with due regard to their beliefs, 
5 
customs, traditions and institutions, as well as to further ensure their contribution to 
6 
national goals and aspirations anti to make them active participants in nation­
7 
building. 
8 
ARTICLE I 
9 
Creation and Composition of the Commission, and Term of Office of the 
10 
Commissioner 
. 
11 
SEC. 3. Creation of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. In 
12 
pursuance of the above-mentioned policy, the National Commission on Muslim 
13 
Filipinos, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, is hereby created. 
14 
The Commission, which shall be under the Office of the President, shall take 
15 
over the functions of the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA). which is hereby abolished. 
16 
Its coverage shall be botl1 local and national affairs involving Muslim Filipinos that 
17 
includes the implementation of ec(;>nomic, educational, cultural, and infrastructure 
18 
programs for Muslim Filipino communities . 
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SEC.. 4. Mandate. The Commission shall preserve and develop the culture, 
2 
tradition, institutions, and well-being of Muslim Filipinos, in conformity with the 
3 
country's laws and in consonance with national unity and development. 
4 
SEC. 5. 
Composition of the Commission. 
The Commission shall be 
composed of nine (9) full-time members who are Muslim Filipinos and shall be 
6 
headed by a Secretary: Provided, that one (1) of the Commissioners shall come from 
7 
the women sector, one (1) from the Youth Sector and another Commissioner shall 
8 
come from the Ulama sector: 
Provided finally, that not more than two (2) 
9 
Commissioners shall come from the same Muslim Filipino tribe at any given time, to 
ensure a more equitable representation in the Commission. The President shall 
11 
appoint the regular members of the Commission. 
The Commissioners shall be 
12 
academic degree holders and must 'speak and write fluently the English and/or 
13 
Arabic languages. They shall be individuals who possess the highest degree of 
14 
integrity and have the endorsement of their respective tribes or sectors. 
In no case shall the Commissioners appoint representatives to act on their 
16 
behalf. 
17 
The Commission may create·a Council of Advisers to be composed of 
18 
cultural, religious, traditional, and tribal leaders. 
The Council shall advise the 
19 
Commission on matters pursuant to the Commission's mandate. 
SEC. 6. Term of Office. The Secretary, who shall be the Chief Executive 
21 
Officer of the Commission with Cabinet.rank, shall attend the Cabinet-level meetings, 
, 
22 
appointed by the President from among the nine (9) Commissioners, and shall serve 
23 
for a period of four (4) years. The Commissioners shall have a term of office of four 
24 
(4) years without prejudice to reappointment by the President. 
Should a Commissioner fail to complete his or her term, the President shall 
26 
appoint a successor and will only serve for the unexpired portion of the term. 
27 
The Secretary and the Commissioners shall have the rank, salary, and 
28 
privileges as those of a Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Secretaries, respectively. 
29 
SEC. 7. Removal from Office: The President may, remove any member of 
the Commission before the expiration of his/her term, upon the recommendation of 
31 
any Muslim Filipino tribal group or s~ctor for cause and after observance of the 
32 
proper due process required by pertinent laws. 
33 
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ARTICLE II 
2 
Powers and Functions 
3 
SEC. 8. Powers and Functions. To accomplish its mandate, the Commission 
4 
shall have the following powers and functions: 
(a) Provide advice and assistance to the President in the formulation, coordination, 
6 
implementation and monitoring of policies, plans, programs and projects affecting 
7 
Muslim Filipino communities; when so authorized, represent the President on 
8 
matters concerning Muslim Filipino communities; serve as a link between the 
9 
President and public or private agencies, internal or external, that are involved in 
such programs and projects; anc~ recommend such affirmative actions as may 
11 
be necessary for their efficient and effective implementation; 
12 
(b) Undertake and coordinate development programs and projects for the 
13 
advancement of Muslim Filipino communities, including designing, implementing 
14 
and maintaining settlements for Muslim Filipino communities: Provided, that the 
Commission shall not take jurisdiction or ownership over lands, and bodies of 
16 
water traditionally and actually occupied by Indigenous Peoples and within the 
17 
identified ancestral domains of the National Commission on I ndigenous People: 
18 
Provided further, that lands identified by the Commission shall be used for the 
19 
purpose of settling the homeless and displaced Muslim families to improve the 
conditions of the members of the Muslim communities; 
21 
(c) Act as the primary government agency through which Muslim Filipinos can seek 
22 
government assistance and redress; serve as the medium through which such 
23 
assistance may be extended to Muslim Filipinos; for this purpose, the 
24 
Commission is hereby authorized, subject to existing auditing rules and 
regulations, to give grants-in-aid out of its appropriations or other appropriate 
26 
funds to cooperating government agencies for such programs or projects for the 
27 
development of Muslim Filipino communities; provide services including legal 
28 
assistance, medical aid, relief and other forms of assistance for socio-economic 
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upliftment of Muslim Filipino communities; 
(d) Enter, subject to existing laws, policies and guidelines, into such contracts, 
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agreements or arrangements with' government or private agencies or entities as 
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may be necessary to attain the objectives of the Commission; 
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(e) In accordance with pertinent laws, ,ru(es and regulations and subject to guidelines 
34 
provided by the Office of the President, promote and enhance the development 
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of domestic trade and commerce among the members of the Muslim Filipino 
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communities; promote or facilitate the establishment by members of the Muslim 
3 
Filipino communities of venture and investments in cooperation or coordination 
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with existing public enterprises, corporations or private entities; initiate and/or 
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organize, in accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations, enterprises 
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based on the principles of Islamic business and finance for the benefit and 
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welfare of the Muslim Filipino Communities; 
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(f) Recommend to the Department of.Budget and Management(DBM) the proposed 
9 
expenditure for the development of all Muslim Filipino communities; 
(g) Develop criteria for allocating additional resources for education, economic and 
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cultural development programs; 
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(h) Monitor and evaluate the performance of all existing policies and development 
13 
programs of the government that seek to strengthen and uplift the socio­
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economic conditions of Muslim Filipinos and identify areas that need government 
intervention and support; 
16 
(i) Acquire, lease or own such property or assets in whatever form as may be 
17 
necessary, and sell or otherwise dispose of the same, and serve as the 
18 
custodian or administrator of such' lands or areas and other properties or assets 
19 
the President may reserve for the benefit of Muslim Filipino communities; 
U) Solicit and accept grants, donations and gifts, in cash or in kind, in whatever 
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source, in coordination with the appropriate agency for the benefit of the Muslim 
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Filipinos, and administer the same in accordance witll the terms thereof, or in the 
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absence of any condition, in such manner consistent with the interest of MUSlim 
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Filipinos as well as existing laws; 
(k) Undertake studies, establish and maintain ethnographic research centers and 
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museums on the cultures and institutions of Muslim Filipinos for policy 
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formulation and program implementation and for the purpose of preserving their 
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historical heritage; 
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(I) Certify, whenever appropriate, membership of persons in Muslim Filipino 
communities for purposes of establishing qualifications for specific requirements 
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of government and private agencies or for benefits as may be provided by law; 
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(m) Conduct inspections or surveys,' jOintly with other appropriate agencies, and 
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issue necessary certifications prior to the grant of any license, lease or permit for 
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the exploitation of natural resources affecting the interests of Muslim Filipino 
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communities or areas occupied by them; and in case of conflicts, recommend to 
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the President appropriate action l-Inder the circumstances: Provided, that the 
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issuance of said certification shall not be considered as license, lease, or permit 
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allowing the exploitation of natural resources, which license, lease, or permit can 
only be issued by the authorized government agencies or offices pursuant to 
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pertinent laws; 
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(n) Provide legal and technical services for the survey, adjudication, titling, and 
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development of Muslim Filipino ancestral lands and settlements proclaimed by 
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the government for the Muslim Filipinos; 
(0) Administer all programs, projects, and activities, formulate the necessary rules 
11 
and regulations, and coordinate with pertinent offices to ensure the success of 
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the annual hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 
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(p) Promote the development of a Hajj Assistance Fund that shall be created from 
14 
contributions of Muslim Filipinos and other donors which shall be used to support 
. 
the financial needs of Muslim Filipinos intending to participate in the annual hajj; 
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(q) Administer and hold in trust awqaf (endowment) propertiesand/or awqaf 
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institutions, and receive by way of grant, donations or gifts, awqaf investments in 
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accordance with the principles of Islamic investments and finance; 
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(r) Prescribe rules and regulations for the establishment of awqaf institutions, 
administration of awqaf assets,' and settlement of disputes among awqaf 
21 
beneficiaries pursuant to the general principles of Shari'ah (Islamic Law); 
22 
(s) Formulate and adopt continuing programs and activities to strengthen Madaris 
23 
(plural of Madrasah) schools, Islamic Studies, and Shari'ah and Islamic 
24 
jurisprudence, in coordination with appropriate agencies of the government; 
(t) Promote and supervise, in coordination with appropriate agencies of the 
26 
government, the implementation of the Madrasah education system throughout 
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the country except in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) 
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where the system shall be implemented and supervised by the Department of 
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Education-ARMM; and provide assistance in the expeditious accreditation of 
, 
Madrasah educational institutions with the appropriate agencies of the 
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government; 
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(u) Ensure that the curriculum of the Madrasah education system shall conform with 
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the basic curriculum of the national formal education system which along with 
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teachings on Arabic Language, Islamic Studies, and Filipino and Islamic Values 
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shall include, among others, the subjects on Filipino and English Grammar and 
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Usage, 
Philippine 
History 
and 
Geography, 
Science 
and 
Technology, 
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Mathematics, Physical Education and Sports Development, and Vocational 
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Education to secure the local and international competitiveness of Muslim 
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Filipino graduates from the Madrasah educational institutions; 
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(v) Develop criteria for the grant of local and foreign scholarships and the selection 
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of deserving students and teachers of Madrasah educational institutions; 
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(w) Provide local and foreign scholarships to deserving Muslim Filipinos in 
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coordination with formal educational institutions here and abroad; 
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(x) Ensure the continuous transfer of technology to Muslim Filipino communities to 
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uplift the quality of life of Muslim Fil,ipinos; 
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(y) Promulgate such rules and regulations and exercise such powers and functions 
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as maybe necessary to carry out the purposes and objectives outlined in this Act; 
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and 
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(z) Perform such other functions as may be necessary for its effective operations 
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and continued enhancement as a government entity. 
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SEC. 9. Administrative Supervision and Control. The administrative 
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supervision and control over the personnel, except the Commissioners, and the 
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properties of the Commission shall be vested in the Secretary. Except for 
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Presidential appointees, the appointment of and imposition of disciplinary measures 
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on the same personnel shall likewise be vested in the Secretary who shall 
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accomplish the same in consultation with the Commissioners, except that when the 
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administrative charge entails, considering the circumstances alleged in the 
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complaint, the penalty of dismissal from the service, the decision thereon shall be by 
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the majority of all the members of the Commission. The Secretary shall exercise 
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administrative supervision over the Cqmmissioners. The Commissioners shall assist 
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the Secretary in the performance or his functions, who may assign or delegate 
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specific and substantive or administrative responsibilities to any of them including the 
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designation of any Commissioner to be in-charge or take supervision of a particular 
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bureau. 
HoweVer, this provision shall not be construed as replacing the Bureau 
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Director who shall continue to discharge the duties and responsibilities as a bureau 
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director. 
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SEC. 10. Organizational Structure. The Commission shall be composed of 
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the offices of the Secretary, the Commissioners, the Executive Director and the 
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Deputy Executive Director and their immediate staff, the Bureaus, Services, 
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Regional Offices, Field Offices and Sub-offices.
. 
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SEC. 11. Bureaus. The Bureaus of the Commission shall consist of the 
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Bureau of Economic Affairs, Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs, Bureau of Land and 
Settlement Affairs, Bureau of 
Exte~nal Relations, Bureau of Pilgrimage and 
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Endowment, Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution, Bureau of Environmental 
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Concerns, Bureau of Muslim Filipino Overseas Workers, and the Bureau of Legal 
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Affairs. Each of these Bureaus shall .be headed by a Director who shall hold the 
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same rank, salary, and privileges of a Staff Bureau Director. 
The Bureau Director shall be appointed by the President from among the 
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names or nominees submitted by the Commission to the President. 
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(a) 
Bureau of Economic Affairs. This Bureau shall promote and develop 
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economic 
livelihood 
programs 
and 
projects 
through 
extension 
of loans, 
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entrepreneurship, trade and marketing assistance to the members of Muslim Filipino 
communities. It shall also be responsible for the promotion and development of 
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cooperative endeavors among Muslim Filipinos in coordination with the Cooperative 
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Development Authority (CDA). It shall likewise promote and implement manpower 
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training and community self-help projects for the economic development of Muslim 
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Filipinos. 
(b) 
Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs. This Bureau shall be responsible 
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for the conduct of research and studies on the cultural development of Muslim 
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Filipino communities which would serve as the basis for policy and plans formulation, 
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program and project implementation .. 
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It shall formulate and implement an education program especially designed to 
improve the literacy level of Muslim Filipinos, including their study of the Arabic 
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language, and maintain a central library, museum and audio-visual center to serve 
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as repositories of information on the Muslim Filipino peoples. 
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It shall be responsible for the Madrasah institutions in the country wherein it 
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will assist and facilitate the applications for registration and accreditation with the 
Department of Education (DepEd). If shall also oversee the conduct of the Annual 
. 31 
Quor'an Reading Competition. 
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As far as feasible, the teaching of the Arabic language shall form part of the 
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curriculum in the Madrasah. 
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(e) 
Bureau of Land and Settlement Affairs. This Bureau shall be 
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responsible for the promotion and development of Muslim Filipino settlements in 
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coordination with concerned agencies of the government. 
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(d) 
Bureau of External Relations - This Bureau shall be responsible in 
forging linkages among Muslim Filipino communities and organizations within and 
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outside the country including print, broadcast and electronic communications. The 
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Bureau shall also serve as the public !nformation arm of the Commission and assist 
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in fulfilling information dissemination on issues affecting Muslim Filipinos. It is tasked 
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to carry-out sound dissemination practices and may use the services of other 
agencies to help achieve an informed judgment on issues. 
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(e) 
Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment.. This Bureau shall be 
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primarily responsible for the administration of the annual Muslim pilgrimage to 
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Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and the formulation and implementation of 
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programs, projects and activities for .the efficient and effective administration and 
supervision of the conduct of pilgrimage activities: Provided, that the supervision 
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accorded the Bureau under this Section shall not include control. 
17 
In the pursuance of the above responsibilities, the Bureau shall formulate the 
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necessary guidelines to ensure the timely processing of the pilgrim's travel 
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documents and the equitable and reasonable collection of fees. 
Such collection 
shall be limited to mutawiff and passportingand/or processing fees only. Collected 
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fees shall be deposited in a special trust fund which shall be established by the 
22 
Commission, the expenses from whiph shall be subject to existing auditing laws, 
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rules and regulations. 
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The Bureau shall also have several of its personnel who write and speak 
fluently the Arabic language. 
26 
The pilgrims shall be accorded free choice of travel agencies and airlines or 
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other means of transportation to and from the site of pilgrimage: Provided that,
. 
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pilgrims comply with the prescribed arrival and departure schedule fixed by the 
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Ministry of Hajj of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Provided further, that aU pilgrims 
shall be legitimate holders of round-trips tickets to and from the Kingdom of Saudi 
31 
Arabia: Provided furthermore, that the pilgrims shall be free to choose on where to 
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purchase or acquire other logistics, materials and supplies for the pilgrimage. 
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In no instance that the pilgrims shall be forced to purchase such logistics, 
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materials and supplies from the·. Commission or its authorized agents or 
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representatives. However, for purposes of uniformity, the Commission may prescribe 
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the standards, such as but not limited to, design, color or type of materials to be 
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used for such logistics, materials and supplies. 
4 
As far as practicable, the Bureau shall tap Muslim Filipino stUdents based in 
Saudi Arabia to assist the Muslim Filipino pilgrims. 
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The Bureau shall also accredit qualified and deserving sheikhs. It shall also 
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formulate, subject to the approval of the Commission, the timetable of annual hajj 
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activities which must be posted in all areas accessible to Mustim Filipinos. 
9 
The Bureau shall likewise be responsible for the administration of awqaf 
(endowment) properties and institutions, and the conduct of research and studies for 
11 
the establishment and maintenance of hajj towns, islamic centers and awqaf 
12 
projects. 
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(f) 
Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution. This Bureau shall 
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primarily be responsible for the conduct of peace and settlement of conflict among 
Muslim Filipinos and shall likewise participate in the national peace process efforts, 
16 
particularly for Muslim Mindanao. It is aimed to prevent, de-escalate and find solution 
17 
to conflicts by peaceful means. 
18 
(g) 
Bureau of Environmental Concerns. This Bureau shall primarily be 
19 
responsible for the supervision and, protection of the environment and natural 
resources against exploitation. It is aimed at conserving the natural resources, 
21 
preserving its current state and possibly reversing its degradation at Muslim­
22 
dominated areas. 
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(h) 
Bureau of Muslim Filipino Overseas Workers. This Bureau shall 
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primarily be responsible for providing assistance to Muslim Filipinos working abroad, 
provided that a women's desk shall be established in the bureau to receive and act 
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on complaints of violence, illegal' recruitment, exploitation, human trafficking, 
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discrimination and any form of abuse in collaboration with other government 
28 
agencies or offices for the protection of female Muslim Filipino overseas workers: 
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Provided further, that the bureau 'shall also establish programs needed for 
rehabilitation of the victims. 
31 
(i) 
Bureau of Legal Affairs. The Legal Affairs Service shall be 
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responsible for providing Muslim Filipinos with legal education and assistance in 
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case of litigation involving their persons or interests; act as the legal counsel of the 
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· 1 
Commission; and investigate cases involving its personnel and submit appropriate 
2 
recommendations pertaining thereto. 
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SEC. 12. Services . . The Services of the Commission shall consist of the 
, 
4 
Administrative Service, Finance Management Service and Planning Service, each of 
which shall be headed by a Staff Director with the same rank, salary, and privileges 
6 
of an Assistant Staff Bureau Director. ' 
7 
(a) Administrative Service. This Service shall be responsible for providing 
8 
the Commission with efficient and effective staff services relating to personnel, 
9 
information, records, supplies, eqUipment, collection, disbursement, security and 
custodial work. 
11 
(b) Finance and Management Service. This Service shall be responsible for 
12 
providing the Commission with efficient and effective staff advise and assistance on 
13 
budgetary, financial and management matters. 
14 
(c) Planning Service. This Service shall be responsible for providing the 
Commission with efficient and effective. staff services relating to planning, monitoring, 
16 
and evaluation of programs and projects. 
17 
SEC. 13. Regional Offices, Field Offices, Sub-Offices. The Commission is 
18 
hereby authorized to establish, ope~ate, and maintain Regional Offices in such 
19 
appropriate administrative regions of the country, each of which shall be headed by a 
Regional Director. A Regional Office shall have, within its administrative region, the 
21 
following functions: 
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(a.) Implement laws, rules, regulations, policies, programs,and projects of the 
·23 
Commission; 
24 
(b.) Establish regional and provincial Hajj coordinating and monitoring units; 
(c.) Provide efficient and effective service to Muslim Filipinos; 
26 
(d.) Coordinate with regional offices and agencies of the executive department; 
27 
(e.) Coordinate with local government units; and 
28 
(f.) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law. 
29 
The Commission is likewise authorized to establish, operate, maintain, and 
determine the functions of field offices and sub-offices, whenever necessary, 
31 
appropriate and feasible. 
32 
SEC. 14. The Secretariat. The Commission shall organize a Secretariat that 
33 
shall assist the Secretary in the performance of his functions and shall serve as the 
34 
technical arm ofthe Commission. It shall be headed by an Executive Director who 
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shall be appointed by the President. 
The Executive Director shall execute the 
2 
policies and programs of the Commission and shall be responsible for the efficient 
3 
and effective day-to-day management of the operations of the Commission. 
4 
The Executive Director shall re90mmend to the Secretary, for approval of the 
Commission, the budget of the Secretariat, its staffing pattern, position classification 
6 
and compensation scheme, and the appointment of its personnel subject to existing 
7 
laws, rules and regulations. 
8 
The Executive Director shall 'enjoy security of tenure and may only be 
9 
removed for cause in accordance with law. 
SEC. 15. Hajj Attache. The President shall appoint a Hajj Attache only from 
11 
among the three (3) recommendees of the Commission within fifteen (15) days from 
12 
the submission of the recommendees by the Commission. The Hajj Attache shall 
13 
coordinate with the Ministry of Hajj of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on all matters 
14 
pertaining to the conduct of the annual Hajj. He shall be an academic degree holder 
and must be able to write and speak fluently the Arablc language. He shall hold 
16 
office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and shall enjoy the same rank, salary, and 
17 
privileges as those of attaches of the national government. 
18 
SEC. 16. Amirul Hajj. 
The President shall appoint the Secretary of the 
19 
Commission as the Amirul Hajj who shall serve as the representative of the 
President and as the head of the Muslim Filipino pilgrims who will attend the annual 
21 
Hajj. 
22 
SEC. 17. Change of Pilgrim's'Name. The Commission shall authenticate the 
23 
certification which is issued by the Hajj Attache and the Ministry of Hajj of the 
24 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and which provides a Muslim name to a pilgrim. The 
authentication issued by the Commission, which shall contain both the pilgrim's 
26 
registered name in the Philippine Civil Registry and his newly-issued Muslim name, 
27 
shall then be legally recognized by the national government as valid for all intents 
28 
and purposes. 
29 
ARTICLE III 
Appropriations, Management and Administration 
31 
SEC. 
18. Appropriations. 
The 
amount necessary for the 
initial 
32 
, 
, 
.. 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year s appropriatIons 
33 
of the Office on Muslim Affairs. Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for the 
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continued implementation of the act shall be included in the annual General 
2 
Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 19. Record of Transaction. The Commission shall keep proper 
4 
accounts and records of all its transactions and affairs, and shall exert all efforts to 
ensure that all payments made out of its moneys are correctly made and properly 
6 
authorized, and that adequate contrQI is maintained over the assets of, or in the 
7 
custody of, the Commission and the expenditures it may incur. The Commission 
8 
sllall be subject to audit by the Commission on Audit. 
, 9 
SEC. 20. Civil Service Law Coverage for Employees. The hiring, 
appointment, employment, promotion, disciplinary control, separation, and other 
11 
terms and conditions of the service of all employees of the Commission and such 
12 
other matters affecting its employees' shall be consistent with the provisions of the 
13 
Civil Service Law and the Civil Service Commission's rules and regulations. 
14 
SEC. 21. GSIS Coverage for ~mployees. All employees of the Commission 
shall be deemed members of the Government Service Insurance System and shall 
16 
enjoy all the benefits of said System. ' 
17 
SEC. 22. Transitory Provisions. Upon the creation of the Commission, the 
18 
OMA shall cease to exist. All the powers, functions, assets, liabilities, capital, 
19 
accounts, contracts, equipment, and facilities of the OMA which are owned by the 
government, shall be transferred to the Commission. 
21 
During the transition period, which begins upon approval of this Act, the 
22 
President may appoint the incumbe'nt Executive Director of the OMA as Acting 
23 
Secretary of the Commission until the regular Secretary of the Commission shall 
24 
have been appointed. 
All regular or permanent employees of OMA shall be absorbed or transferred 
26 
to the Commission: Provided, that they possess the necessary qualifications, and 
27 
shall not suffer any loss of seniority or' rank or decrease in emoluments. 
28 
Employees separated and/or phased-out from the service as a result of the 
29 
abolition of the OMA under the provi~ion of this Act shall, within three (3) months 
from their separation and/or phased-out from the service receive a separation pay in 
31 
accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations. 
In addition, those who are 
32 
qualified to retire shall be allowed to retire and be entitled to all benefits provided 
33 
under existing retirement laws. The fund of the Commission maybe used to fund this 
34 
purpose. 
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Employees separated and/or retired from the service shall not be eligible for 
re-appointment to or employment in the Commission whether on a permanent, 
temporary, casual or contractual status within a period of three (3) years after 
separation or retirement. 
The Secretary shall recommend to the Commission a work program that shall 
include the organizational plan and structure, staffing pattern and compensation 
plan, budget, programs, projects, activities of the Commission within ninety (90) days 
from the constitution of the Commission. Said work program shall be implemented by 
the Secretary within thirty (30) days after its approval by the Commission. 
SEC. 23. Periodic Performance Evaluation. 
The Secretary is hereby 
required to formulate and enforce a sY,stem of measuring and evaluating periodically 
and objectively the performance of the Commission and submit the same annually to 
thE;! President and to the Congress of the Philippines. 
SEC. 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The National Commission 
on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the Department of Budget and Management shall 
issue the implementing rules and regulations ninety (90) days after the effectivity of 
this Act. 
SEC. 25. Separability Clause: If for any reason, any section or provision of 
this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other section or provisions hereof, 
which are not affected thereby shall continue in full force and effect. 
SEC. 26. Repealing Clause. 'Executive Order No. 122-A, as amended by 
Executive Order No. 295 is hereby repealed. All other acts, decrees, instructions, 
rules and regulations or parts thereof ,inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
also hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 27. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
13