Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session
ae 957

House Bill No.

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 5 of the Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution provides that “The
free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without
discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed.”

In pursuance of this Constitutional mandate, the State shall guarantee the
rights and well-being of Muslim Filipinos with due regard to their beliefs, customs,
traditions and institutions, giving them the opportunity to contribute to nation
building

Muslim Filipinos observe traditional rites to honor and bury their dead,
including funeral procession and mouming practices. They observe the Sunna,
which is the rigid conduct of Islam, as their tradition for festivals and ceremonies
for the dead

In Mindanao, the kubul (grave) are found in lots allotted by their families or
found in the garden of their family home. In Metro Manila, a cemetery located in
Signal Village, Taguig, is provided for Muslim Filipinos but the area is limited to
accommodate those coming from other parts of Metro Manila. At present, Muslim
Filipinos still have difficulty in burying their dead, more often they have to transport
the cadaver to their native place in Mindanao.

This proposed measure seeks to provide a common cemetery for Muslim
Filipinos by establishing a Muslim Filipino Cemetery in Metro Manila to preserve
the sanctity of Islam belief and culture in honoring the dead.

In consideration of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly

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AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO
2” District, Province of Iloilo


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No__ 99’?

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MUSLIM FILIPINO CEMETERY IN METRO MANILA, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared as the policy of
the State to ensure the rights and well-being of Muslim Filipinos with due regard to
their beliefs, customs, traditions and institutions, as well as to further ensure their
contribution to national goals and aspirations and to make them active participants
in nation building.

SECTION 2. Establishment of a Muslim Filipino Cemetery in Metro
Manila. There shall be established a Muslim Filipino Cemetery in Metro Manila to
be identified and coordinated by the Office of the Muslim Affairs (OMA).

The Office of the Muslim Affairs (OMA) shall coordinate with the Metro
Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to identify appropriate location for the said
purpose. The OMA and the MMDA shall designate a technical working group to
formulate an implementation plan for the project.

SECTION 3. Appropriation. The amount needed to carry out the
provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated in the General
Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

SECTION . This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in

two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. The publication shall not be
later than seven (7) days after approval hereof.

Approved,