Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has called on the Senate to look into the various complaints raised by Muslim Filipinos against the National Council on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).
Angara, who filed Senate Resolution No. 768, said the Upper Chamber should look into the reports of subpar treatment received by Muslim pilgrims to the Hajj from the NCMF, through the Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment.
According to the senator, some Muslim Filipino pilgrims have complained to his office about the poor delivery of service from the BPE during their 2023 pilgrimage to Mecca.
Based on the complainants’ account, most notably Vice Governor Abdusakur Tan II of Sulu, there was limited transport buses leading to overcrowding, safety risks, and exposure to extreme heat; densely packed and low-quality accommodations.
They also claimed there was limited cooling systems in tents despite the heat; insufficient, repetitive, and nutritiously deficient food; and the lack of prepared food for pilgrims on some days.
In contrast, the BPE officer-in-charge stayed in a lavish five-star hotel during the pilgrimage while the NCMF top officials and staff were remiss in their duty to assist Filipino pilgrims.
“Hindi lang ngayon na nagkaroon ng mga ganitong klaseng reklamo mula sa mga kapatid natin na Muslim na pinaghandaan ng matagal na panahon ang paglahok sa isa sa pinakaimportanteng pillars ng Islam na ang Hajj (It's not just now that there have been these kinds of complaints from our Muslim brothers and sisters who have been preparing for a long time to participate in one of the most important pillars of Islam, the Hajj),” Angara noted.
“Nararapat lang na mahanapan natin ng solusyon ang mga problemang naranasan nila sa Hajj para maging mas maganda ang karanasan ng mga na dadalo sa Hajj sa susunod na mga taon (It is only fitting that we find a solution to the problems they experienced during the Hajj so that the experience of those who will attend the Hajj in the coming years will be better),” the senator reiterated.
Angara noted that over 7,000 pilgrims participated in the Hajj last June 23, 2023 and went to Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Hajj takes place during the same period each year - during the month of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month in the Islamic Calendar. Hajj begins on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah and lasts until the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
Pursuant to Section 8(q) of Republic Act No. 9997 or the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009, the NCMF through the BPE, is mandated to oversee the annual Hajj for Muslim Filipinos residing in the Philippines.
The agency is also tasked to formulate the necessary rules and regulations and coordinating with pertinent offices to ensure the success of the pilgrimage.
“The Hajj is sacred to all Muslims and is something that every adult Muslim must undergo at least once in a lifetime,” he said.
“It is our obligation to ensure that the arrangements for their pilgrimage are handled properly so that they can focus on the practice of their faith and not be distracted by circumstances that could easily be avoided with proper planning and commitment by all those concerned,” Angara stressed.