The House plenary (Facebook)

The measure seeking to privatize the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Hajj, has been approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives. 

House Bill (HB) No.10867, which seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) No.9997 or the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009, garnered 168 affirmative votes during plenary session Tuesday, Nov. 13.

The were only three votes against the bill, which sought to provide better services to Muslim Filipino pilgrims.

Particularly, HB No.10867 aims to reduce government control on Filipinos' participation in the Hajj through the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).

Under the measure, pilgrims would be accorded free choice of travel agencies, service providers and flights for the purpose of the annual pilgrimage. 

It also aims to ensure proper coordination between the NCMF and pilgrims regarding timely departures and arrivals in the duration of the annual Hajj activities. 

In his sponsorship speech last week, Lanao del Norte 1st district Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo stated that the measure was an offshoot of the NCMF's disservice against Muslim Filipino pilgrims during the 2022 and 2023 Hajj pilgrimages.

Dimaporo said multiple House resolutions were previously filed with the committee on public accounts, which found the NCMF guilty of gross negligence and possible violation of procurement laws. 

"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," he stated. 

Maguindanao del Norte lone district Rep. Bai Dimple Mastura also noted in her sponsorship speech last week, that Hajj pilgrimage was one of the five pillars of Islam. She says it is vital to Muslim beliefs.

"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 middle man, a businessman, instead of a government entity that will ensure the success of the annual Hajj," she said. 

The measure provides that the NCMF's Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment shall be responsible for ensuring the success of the annual Hajj.