Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by REP. SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” I. MASTURA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 9997 provides that the National Commission on 
Muslim Filipinos or NCMF shall: 
“Administer all programs, projects and activities, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations, and coordinate with pertinent offices 
to ensure the success of the annual Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca, 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”1 
The law also created the Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment which 
provides that:2 
“(e) Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment. - This Bureau shall 
be primarily 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 and supervision of the conduct of 
pilgrimage activities: Provided, That the supervision accorded the 
Bureau under this section shall not include control. 
“Pursuant to the above responsibilities, the Bureau shall 
formulate the necessary guidelines to ensure the timely processing of 
1 Paragraph (q), Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9997. 
2 Paragraph (e), Section 11 of Republic Act No. 9997. 
October 17, 2023
3:59 pm
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the pilgrim's travel documents and the equitable and reasonable 
collection of fees. Such collection shall be limited to mutawiff and 
passporting and/or processing fees only. Collected fees shall be 
deposited in a special trust fund which shall be established by the 
Commission, the expenses from which shall be subject to existing 
auditing laws, rules and regulations. 
 
“The pilgrims shall be accorded free choice of travel agencies 
and airlines or other means of transportation to and from the site of 
pilgrimage: Provided, That pilgrims comply with the prescribed 
arrival and departure schedule fixed by the Ministry of Hajj of the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Provided, further, That all pilgrims shall 
be legitimate holders of round- trip tickets to and from the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia: Provided, furthermore, That the pilgrims shall be free 
to choose on where to purchase or acquire other logistics, materials 
and supplies for the pilgrimage. 
 
“In no instance shall the pilgrims be forced to purchase such 
logistics, materials and supplies from the Commission or its 
authorized agents or representatives. 
 
“The Bureau shall also accredit qualified and deserving 
sheikhs. It shall also formulate, subject to the approval of the 
Commission, the timetable of annual Hajj activities which must be 
posted in all areas accessible to Muslim Filipinos. 
 
“The 
Bureau 
shall 
likewise 
be 
responsible 
for 
the 
administration of awqaf properties and institutions, and the conduct 
of research and studies for the establishment and maintenance 
of Hajj towns, Islamic centers and awqaf projects.” 
 
In spite of the creation of the Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment 
and the provision of its powers, duties and responsibilities, Filipino Hajj 
pilgrims still encounter problems such as delay in the release of Hajj visas, 
delayed flights to and from Saudi Arabia, poor accommodation, inefficient 
transportation services, and delayed and insufficient food services, among 
others. 
 
In this connection, this Bill seeks to allow Filipino Hajj pilgrims to 
register directly with the Ministry of Hajj and Umra of Saudi Arabia, pay 


their mutawiff, passporting and/or processing fees.  They shall also be 
allowed to choose and book their flights: Provided that they comply with the 
prescribed arrival and departure schedule fixed by the Ministry of Hajj of 
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  They shall be allowed to directly book and 
pay for they hotel accommodation, food services, and tent accommodation. 
The pilgrims shall also have the right to choose and directly purchase their 
logistics, materials, and other supplies for the pilgrimage. 
Early approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” I. MASTURA 
Representative 
Lone District of Maguindanao del Norte 
with Cotabato City 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by REP. SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” I. MASTURA 
AN ACT 
ALLOWING FILIPINO HAJJ PILGRIMS TO DIRECTLY REGISTER WITH 
THE MINISTRY OF HAJJ AND UMRA OF SAUDI ARABIA, BOOK AND 
PAY 
FOR 
THEIR 
FLIGHTS, 
ACCOMMODATION, 
AND 
OTHER 
SERVICES AND REQUIREMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE 
ANNUAL HAJJ TO MECCA 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Republic Act No. 
9997 otherwise known as the "National Commission on Muslim Filipinos 
Act of 2009," Muslim Filipino Hajj pilgrims shall be allowed to register 
directly with the Ministry of Hajj and Umra of Saudi Arabia and pay their 
mutawiff, passporting and/or processing fees. 
SEC. 2. Muslim Filipino Hajj pilgrims shall also be allowed to 
choose and book their flights: Provided that they comply with the 
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prescribed arrival and departure schedule fixed by the Ministry of Hajj of 
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.   
SEC. 3. Muslim Filipino Hajj Pilgrims shall also be allowed to 
directly book and pay for their hotel accommodation, food services, and 
tent accommodation.  They shall also have the right to choose and 
directly purchase their logistics, materials, and other supplies for the 
pilgrimage. 
SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved,