House Speaker Martin Romualdez has hailed minority congressman for his unwavering commitment to improve Filipinos' understanding on the use of Hijab, which is worn by Muslim women the world over.

This, as Romualdez attended the House of Representatives' celebration of the 10th World Hijab Day on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 1 at the North Wing of Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

“It often becomes the object of discrimination," Romualdez said in his speech at the , referring to the Hijab.

"And we can all agree that discrimination hampers our ability to grow and mature as a country with diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, and is therefore a deterrent to nation-building,” he said.

Romualdez noted that this is the reason why the House, during the 18th and 19th Congresses, passed the National Hijab Day Bill. The measure was authored principally by Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan lone district Rep. Mujiv Hataman.

“Tama po ang ating butihing congressman from Basilan: kailangan nating ituwid ang paniniwala tungkol sa pagsusuot ng Hijab (Our good congressman from Basilan is right in correcting public perception on the use of Hijab),” the Speaker added, referring to Hataman.

Romualdez pointed out that there was a need for a law that would make Filipinos understand and recognize the right of Muslim women to wear hijab and not discriminate against them.

“We need to make our citizens understand the true meaning or symbol of the hijab, which is to live a life of modesty as a Muslim woman,” the Speaker stressed.

Meanwhile, the House leader congratulated the organizers of the event “for the success of our commemoration of World Hijab Day 2023".

“And I sincerely hope that this time around, the National Hijab Day Bill becomes law,” he said.

Hataman and his fellow Muslim solons also took part in the event.