The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved House Bill 10867, which provides for the privatization of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, ensuring better services for Muslim Filipinos.
The bill seeks to amend Republic Act 9997, or the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009, which created the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF),
The NCMF is mandated to preserve and develop the culture, traditions, institutions, and well-being of Muslim Filipinos.
HB 10867 curtails the NCMF’s control over Hajj pilgrimage activities.
The new measure empowers pilgrims, allowing them to freely choose travel agencies, service providers, and flights for the Hajj.
According to Lanao del Norte Representative Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, resolutions were filed with the Committee on Public Accounts, which found that the NCMF was guilty of gross negligence and possible violations of procurement laws.
Dimaporo added that HB 10867 will address the NCMF’s disservice to Muslim Filipino pilgrims during the 2022 and 2023 Hajj pilgrimages.
Maguindanao del Norte Representative Bai Dimple Mastura briefly explained that the Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, and every Muslim is required to go at least once in their lifetime.
“It appears that instead of properly administering the Hajj, the NCMF has been acting as a travel agency or a service provider for hotels, transportation, and other logistics. The NCMF has been acting like a middleman or a businessman, rather than a government entity ensuring the success of the annual Hajj,” she said.