H.B. 10867 intends to give better services to Muslim Filipino pilgrims through the privatization of the Hajj
Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-JxC
- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 |Facebook: SDN – SciTech and Digital News
(SDN) — Hajj operations in the Philippines have been perennially saddled with issues and concerns that have become a burden to Filipino pilgrims.
Various problems have been the bane of Filipino pilgrims since the time of the defunct Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA), and even before the former Philippine Pilgrimage Authority (Philpa), OMA’s predecessor. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos replaced the OMA after it was abolished by Republic Act No. 9997.
Before the creation of the Philpa through an executive order issued by the then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr., the Hajj, the Pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, there was no government oversight, leaving the handling of pilgrims to “sheikhs” (pilgrims’ leaders), who do all the processes involved in the religious travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As everyone knows, it’s complicated.
Former Philpa employees recalled that the reason the government stepped into the pilgrimage operation was for the pilgrims’ welfare, protection, and assistance, to make their religious journey smooth and with minimum hassle.
Now, it’s the NCMF, the Commission created through R.A. No. 9997, which retains government supervision over the Hajj operation as well as giving pilgrims the right, or at least discretion, to choose their preferred travel agency and airlines.
While this story was being drafted two days ago, SDN — SciTech & Digital News sought comments or reactions from key NCMF officials involved in the Hajj 2022 and Hajj 2023 operations, as well as other officials of the Commission. No response yet.
In fairness, the incumbent Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim assumed the Commission’s leadership only in April 2024, meaning he does not have a hand in the handling of the previous pilgrimages, which gained the attention of the House of Representatives. He came when the Hajj 2024 operation was already in full swing.
The House conducted four public hearings as congressmen dug up and probed who may be responsible for the problems that beset Hajj 2022 and Hajj 2023.
Has the free choice bestowed to pilgrims by the NCMF Charter been observed faithfully, or more in the breach? In fairness to the NCMF, it’s a complicated process it is faced with that plays out yearly during the pilgrimage.
In connection with the issues and concerns about pilgrims’ welfare yearly, Moro solons have taken cognizance, leading to the filing of bills seeking to give to the private sector — though not completely as it turns out — some aspects of the operation of the pilgrimage.
Maguindanao del Norte and Cotabato City Rep. Bai Dimple I. Mastura’s House Bill (H.B.) 10867 has sailed through on its third and final reading last week. Its passage opened the door to a required counterpart bill in the Senate.
Pilgrimage bureau still has key role in Hajj operation
In a House statement, it pointed out that H.B. 10867 “seeks to provide better services to Muslim Filipino pilgrims through the privatization of the annual Islamic pilgrimage.”
Congress’s Lower Chamber revealed that the legislative measure was approved by 168 solons with only three negative votes.
But as the House statement showed, H.B. 10867 does not intend to completely cede complete control of the pllilgrimage operation to the private sector, only seeking to temper the control of the government, “particularly from the (NCMF) of the annual pilgrimage for Muslim Filipinos.”
If the Mastura bill becomes law, it would amend part of R.A. No. 9997, also known as the “National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009.” SDN has not yet seen a copy of H.B. 10867, which replaced HB No. 6672 that Lanao del Norte (2nd Dist.) Rep. Sittie Aminah Dimaporo had introduced.
Last week, Lanao del Norte (1st Dist.) Rep. Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo delivered a Privilege Speech, saying that Mastura’s bill is a result of what he described the “disservice” of the NCMF against Filipino pilgrims in the Hajj 2022 and Hajj 2023.
He notes further that the House of Representatives have filed a series of resolutions with the Committee on Public Accounts “which found the NCMF guilty of gross negligence and possible violation of procurement law.”
He adds: “It is for this reason that the Committee of Muslim Affairs is proposing to restrict the NCMF’s control over the Hajj pilgrimage for Muslim Filipinos and turn it over to the private sector.”
Mastura’s bill seeks to grant pilgrims free choice of travel agencies, service providers and flights in so far as the annual pilgrimage is concerned.
Also in H.B. 10867 is a provision at making sure proper coordination between the NCMF and intending pilgrims on their timely departures from the Philippines and arrivals in Saudi Arabia during the religious activities’ duration.
It seems Mastura does not believe in the NCMF’s ability to be effective in managing Hajj operation.
“It appears that instead of properly administering the Hajj, the NCMF has apparently been acting as a travel agency or a service provider for hotels, transportation and other logistics. The NCMF has been acting like a middleman, a businessman, instead of a government entity that will ensure the success of the annual Hajj,” says Mastura.
Her legislation provides that the NCMF’s Bureau of Pilgirmage and Endowment (BPE) “shall be responsible for ensuring the success of the annual Hajj.”
However, H.B. 10867 “prohibits the NCMF from procuring services and flights and processing documents in behalf of the Philippine Hajj delegation,” the House statement explained.
Mastura’s bill transferred the preparation and administration of the pilgrimage to the private sector, with the NCMF only representing the Philippine Hajj delegation and signing government to government accords in relation with the annual religious activities.
Recall that Abdurahim has designated Eng’r Rahmatol M. Mamukid the new head and director of the pilgrimage bureau. He has, obviously, a tall task to navigate the already-complicated Hajj operation, even without the Mastura bill, considering all these developments.
The designation is part of the shake up of the Commission’s third level positions effective immediately.
Observers wish Mamukid the best in his new assignment after coming from the Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs (BMEA). (♡)