Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manita

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20" CONGRESS
Ast Regular Session

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Introduced by Representative SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” I. MASTURA

ANACT
PROVIDING BETTER SERVICES TO MUSLIM FILIPINO PILGRIMS THROUGH PRIVATIZATION OF THE
ANNUAL HAJJ PILGRIMAGE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9997, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM FILIPINOS ACT OF 2009”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to privatize the provision of services to Muslim Filipinos attending the annual Hajj
Pilgrimage due to recurring problems encountered by pilgrims, problems that have become an annual
cycle, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos failed to solve.

In the 19" Congress, this representation submitted House Bill No. 9413 and together with two (2) other
bills numbered House Bill No. 6672 and 9096 filed by Representatives Sittie Aminah Q. Dimaporo and
Mujiv S. Hataman respectively, were harmonized to constitute House Bill No. 10867 which the House
of Representatives approved on 3" and Final Reading on November 12, 2024.

The importance of this measure cannot be downplayed because the conduct of Hajj or pilgrimage is a
mandatory religious duty for every adult Muslim to perform at least once in their lifetime; and while
Hajj is first and foremost a spiritual duty, it is also physically demanding thus any issue that causes
complications on accommodations, transportation, food, safety and well-being of the pilgrims is of
utmost concern.

In recent years, calls to relieve government of involvement in the annual Hajj pilgrimage has been
persistent because of the many issues surrounding the preparations and actual pilgrimage under the
direction and supervision of the NCMF.

‘The participation of the private sector in the preparations for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca is
envisioned to ease the burden of our Muslim brothers and sisters as they make their way to the holy
city of Mecca to fulfill at least once in their lifetime, one of the fundamental Muslim praetices and
institutions.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

. SITTIE SHRAARA “BANRIMPLE” I. MASTURA.
itive
‘Maguindanao del Norte, Lone District

5, TIME 37pm
—Rely



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

20" CONGRESS
Ast Regular Session

wouse on no3483

Introduced by Representative SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” I. MASTURA

AN ACT
PROVIDING BETTER SERVICES TO MUSLIM FILIPINO PILGRIMS THROUGH PRIVATIZATION OF THE
ANNUAL HAJJ PILGRIMAGE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9997, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM FILIPINOS ACT OF 2009”

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

SECTION 1. Section 8 of Republic Act No, 9997, otherwise known as the “National
Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009”, is amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 8. Powers and Functions. - To accomplish its mandate, the Commission
shall have the following powers and functions:

“(a)x x x

KX

(q) REPRESENT THE PHILIPPINE DELEGATION FOR THE ANNUAL HAJ, SIGN
GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT AGREEMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNUAL
HAW and coordinate with pertinent offices to ensure the success of the annual Hajj
(pilgrimage) to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia BUT IS PROHIBITED FROM

PROCURING SERVICES AND FLIGHTS AND PROCESSING DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF
‘THE PHILIPPINE HAJ DELEGATION.

‘SEC. 2 Section 11 of the same Act is amended to read as follows

“SEC. 11. Bureaus. ~The Bureaus of the Commission shall consist of the Bureau
of Muslim Economic Affairs, Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs, Bureau of Muslim
Settlement, Bureau of External Relations, Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment,


Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution, and the Bureau of Legal Affairs. Each of these
bureaus shall be headed by a Director who shall hold the same rank, salary and
privileges of a Staff Bureau Director.

The Bureau Director shall be appointed by the President from among the
names or nominees submitted by the Commission to the President.

fa) x x x

“(b) x x x

"ox xx

“(d)x x x

“(e) Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment. - This bureau shall be primarily
responsible for ENSURING A SUCCSSFUL annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia FOR THE BENEFIT OF MUSLIM FILIPINOS BY COORDINATING
WITH THE PERTINENT OFFICES.

“The Bureau shall MONITOR the timely BOOKING OF TRAVEL
ARRANGEMENTS, SUCH AS FLIGHTS AND HOTELS AND processing of the pilgrims
travel document, SUCH AS PASSPORTS AND VISAS. HOWEVER, THE BUREAU SHALL
NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ANNUAL HAJ, INCLUDING THE
COLLECTION OF FEES, BOOKING OF HOTELS, PROCUREMENT OF FOODS, MATERISLS
AND SUPPLIES, ARRANGEMENT OF FLIGHTS TO AND FROM THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI
ARABIA, OR PROCESSING OF VISAS.

“The pilgrims shall be accorded free choice of travel agencies, SERVICE
PROVIDERS and airlines FOR THE PURPOSE of AN ANNUAL Hajj IN the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. THE pilgrims ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE TO COMPLY WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING THE PAYMENT OF FEES, SET BY the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia. THE PREPARATION FOR THE ANNUAL HAJJ SHALL BE ADMNINISTERED BY THE
PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE BUREAU IS LIMITED TO COORDINATION, FACILITATION,
AND MONITORING OF PILGRIM’S COMPLIANCE.

“The Bureau shall accredit qualified, and deserving sheiks/HAMJ OPERATORS
TO LEAD THE PILGRIMS IN THE ANNUAL HAW. It shall KEEP A REGISTRY OF SHEIKS /
HAJJ OPERATORS WHO ARE PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS OR ENTITIES ENGAGED IN
FACILITATING, PROCESSING, AND PROVIDING GUIDANCE TO MUSLIM FILIPINOS FOR
THE ANNUAL HAJ. SHEIKS MUST SPEAK ARABIC FLUENTLY AND HAVE AMPLE
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HAJJ TO HELP MUSLIM FILIPINOS EXPERIENCE A MEMORABLE
‘AND SUCCESSFUL HA.

“THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE SHEIKS/ HAJJ OPERATORS IS TO ENSURE
PROPER COORDINATION BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND PILGRIMS FOR THE
TIMELY DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS OF THE PILGRIMS DURING THE ANNUAL HAJJ
ACTIVITIES. THE SHEIKS / HAJJ OPERATORS SHALL ALSO LEAD, GUIDE AND PROVIDE
RELATED HAJJ SERVICES TO THEIR RESPECTIVE PILGRIMS. THEY MAY LOSE THEIR
ACCREDITATION IF THEY ARE FOUND GUILTY OF NEGLECTING THEIR
RESPONSIBILITIES AFTER DUE PROCESS AND HEARING.


The Bureau shall likewise be responsible for the administration of owaaf
properties and institutions, and the conduct of research and studies for the
establishment and maintenance of Hajj towns, Islamic centers and awgof projects.

“fx xx
“(e)x xx

SEC. 3. Within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, the National Commission
‘on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall submit a transition plan with timetable to the Committee on
‘Muslim Affairs of the House of Representatives and Committee on Cultural Communities and
Muslim Affairs of the Senate of the Philippines reflecting the transfer of the administration of
the conduct of the annual Hajj from the NCMF, through the Bureau of Pilgrimage and
Endowment, to the private sector.

The Secretary, Commissioners and other responsible officers of the NCMF may be held
administratively liable under existing civil service laws for failure to submit the transition plan.
Such failure is also a cause for removal from office and the President of the Philippines may
exercise the power granted to the President under Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9997.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,