Philippines Private Sector Allowed to Provide Hajj Services
The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a measure allowing the private sector to facilitate and process the requirements for the annual Hajj of Muslim Filipinos.
House Bill 10867, which seeks to amend the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009 (Republic Act 9997) garnered 168 affirmative and three negative votes.
Under the measure, pilgrims would be accorded free choice of travel agencies, service providers, and flights for the annual pilgrimage.
At present, the Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment (BPE) of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) is tasked with providing travel services for the annual pilgrimage for Muslim Filipinos.
Under the measure, the NCMF will provide the guidelines for the accreditation of sheiks and/or private individuals who will join the annual Hajj for Muslim Filipinos.
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The bill provides that the BPE shall be mandated to coordinate, facilitate, and monitor pilgrims’ compliance with the annual Hajj but will be prohibited from collecting fees, booking hotels, procuring foods, materials, and supplies, arranging flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and processing visas.
Source: politiko.com.ph
