Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4784

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The annual pilgrimage of Muslim Filipinos to Mecca, in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia is one of the primary programs handled by the National Commission on Muslim
Filipinos. As one of the Pillars of Islam, the annual Haj witnesses tremendous number of
pilgrims flocking to Mecca. The Hajj program of the NCMF is offered to deserving
Filipino Muslims who wishes to fulfill their duty to Islam.

Through the years, there were reports that some of our Filipino Muslims fall prey
to human trafficking activities. And the Hajj program of the NCMF can be exploited by
human traffickers if the government will not strengthen the programs that will safeguard
our pilgrims. Thus, it is this bill’s objective to strengthen the NCMF in providing
protection as well as formulate policies of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking
(IACAT) in relation to the Hajj pilgrimage of our Muslim Filipinos. This bill also aims to
provide the easy coordination between the different agencies involved with regard to
human trafficking as well as repatriation of trafficking and undocumented victims,
specifically our Muslim Filipino pilgrims.

With these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

casey

First District, Lanao del Norte


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
84

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM
FILIPINOS AND AMMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
9997 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM

FILIPINOS ACT OF 2009

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 11 (e) of Republic Act 9997 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“(e) Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment. - This Bureau shall be
primary responsible for the administration of the annual Muslim
pilgrimage to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and the formulation and
implementation of programs, projects and activities for the efficient and
effective administration of the conduct of pilgrimage activities. Provided,
That the supervision accorded the Bureau under this section shall not
include control.

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The Bureau shall also be responsible for the safety and well-being of
the pilgrims, and ensure that they will be protected from exploitation and
human trafficking activities. The Bureau shall coordinate and submit the
list of pilgrims to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (ACAT)
to ensure the protection of the pilgrims from human trafficking. The
Bureau shall also be a member-agency of the Inter-Agency Council Against
Trafficking to formulate policies and regulations with regard the annual
Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.”

SECTION 2. Section 16 of Republic Act 9997 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 16. Amirul Hajj. - The President of the Philippines shall
appoint the Secretary of the 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 Hajj.

In addition, the Secretary of the Commission shall also serve as the
representative of the Commission to the Inter-Agency Council Against
Trafficking (IACAT) as an ex-officio member.”

SECTION 2. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos as well as the Inter-Agency
Council Against Trafficking shall include in their budget the funds necessary for the
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 3. Section 11 (e) and Section 16 of Republic Act 9997, otherwise known as the
“National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009”, as amended, and all other laws,
executive orders, and rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Act are
hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen days following the completion of its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,