The House Committee on Muslim Affairs chaired by Lanao del Norte First District Representative Muhamad Khalid Dimaporo approved the committee report on the substitute measure declaring every first day of February of every year as National Hijab Day and promoting an understanding of the Muslim tradition of wearing a hijab.
The bill substituted House Bill 1363 authored by Maguindanao First District Representative Bai Dimple Mastura and HB 3725 By Deputy Minority Leader Mujiv Hataman.
The panel also tackled HB 2587 by Lanao del Sur First District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong and Lanao del Sur Second District Representative Yasser Alonto Balindong and HB 3755 by Hataman.
Both measures seek the establishment of Muslim Filipino public cemeteries in cities and municipalities with a significant Muslim population.
In his sponsorship speech, Adiong said that at present, it is difficult for Muslim Filipinos to bury their dead due to the lack of public cemeteries that cater to their needs, in accordance with their belief and traditions.
“Most of the time, they are forced to transport their dead to their hometowns in Mindanao, which is quite costly and difficult for the bereaved family members.”
The lawmaker said most of the time, they are forced to transport their dead to their hometowns in Mindanao, which is quite costly and difficult for the bereaved family members.
Balindong explained in Islamic traditions, the burial of a deceased person is a collective obligation of the Muslim community.
“My measure was inspired after the establishment of a public cemetery in the City of Manila.”
Meanwhile, Hataman said his measure was inspired by the establishment of a public cemetery in the City of Manila.
Director Shey Sakaluran Mohammad of the Manila City Office of the Mayor – Manila Muslim Affairs gave a presentation on their Muslim cemetery. She cited Ordinance No. 8608 which then-Mayor Francisco Isko Moreno Domagoso signed on March 2, 2020, appropriating funds for the establishment of a cemetery for deceased Muslim residents of Manila City.
As to the query regarding the legal basis for the establishment of their Muslim cemetery considering the provision on the separation of church and the state, Sakaluran Mohamad said it has been the policy of the state and the LGU to protect the culture and tradition of the Filipinos in general.
Several agencies like the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Audit (COA), and the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) Bangasamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) were invited to give their comments and position on the measures.
