Republic of the Philippines
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
Metro ManilaFourteenth Congress
Third Regular SessionBegun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand nine.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9997
AN ACT CREATING THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM FILIPINOS DEFINING ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009".
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is henceforth the policy of the State to ensure the rights and well-being of Muslim Filipinos with due regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions and institutions, as well as to further ensure their contribution to national goals and aspirations and to make them active participants in nation-building.
ARTICLE I
CREATION AND COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSION, AND TERM OF OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERSSection 3. Creation of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. - In pursuance of the...
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Republic Acts
AN ACT CREATING THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM FILIPINOS DEFINING ITS POWERS
Republic Act No. 9997
Title: National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009
Declaration of Policy (Section 2): The State shall ensure the rights and well-being of Muslim Filipinos, respect their beliefs, customs, traditions and institutions, and ensure their contribution to national goals.
Creation and Composition:
• Creates the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) under the Office of the President to take over functions of the abolished Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) (Section 3)
• Mandates NCMF to preserve and develop culture, tradition, institutions and well-being of Muslim Filipinos (Section 4)
• Composed of 9 full-time Muslim Filipino Commissioners appointed by the President, including 1 from women sector, 1 from youth sector, 1 from Ulama sector (Section 5)
• Secretary appointed from among Commissioners with Cabinet rank (Section 6)
• Commissioners have 4-year terms, with initial terms staggered (Section 6)
• President may remove Commissioners before term expiration for cause (Section 7)
Powers and Functions (Section 8):
• Advise the President on policies, plans, programs and projects affecting Muslim Filipino communities
• Undertake and coordinate development programs and projects for Muslim Filipino communities, including designing and implementing settlements, but not taking jurisdiction over ancestral domains
• Act as primary government agency for Muslim Filipinos to seek assistance and redress
• Participate in peace process involving conflicts between Muslim Filipino groups and government
• Enter into contracts, agreements or arrangements as necessary
• Promote domestic trade, commerce, joint ventures and investments among Muslim Filipino communities based on Islamic business and finance principles
• Recommend proposed expenditure for development of Muslim Filipino communities to DBM
• Promote and develop Philippine Halal Industry and accredit halal-certifying entities
• Monitor and evaluate performance of government policies and programs for Muslim Filipinos
• Acquire, lease or own properties for benefit of Muslim Filipino communities
• Solicit and accept grants, donations and gifts for benefit of Muslim Filipinos
• Undertake studies, establish research centers and museums on Muslim Filipino cultures
• Certify membership in Muslim Filipino communities for government/private requirements
• Provide legal and technical services for survey, adjudication, titling and development of Muslim Filipino ancestral lands and settlements
• Assist NSO in conducting census on Muslim Filipino population
• Administer programs, projects and activities for annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca
• Promote development of Hajj Assistance Fund from Muslim Filipino contributions
• Administer awqaf properties and institutions, receive awqaf investments
• Prescribe rules for establishment of awqaf institutions, administration of awqaf assets, settlement of disputes among awqaf beneficiaries
• Formulate programs to strengthen Madaris schools, Islamic Studies, Shari'ah and Islamic jurisprudence
• Promote and supervise implementation of Madrasah education system, provide assistance in accreditation
• Ensure Madrasah curriculum conforms with national formal education system
• Develop criteria for local and foreign scholarships for Madrasah students and teachers
• Provide and facilitate access to scholarships for deserving Muslim Filipinos
• Ensure continuous transfer of technology to Muslim Filipino communities
• Promulgate rules and exercise powers necessary to carry out objectives
Administrative Supervision and Control (Section 9): Secretary has administrative supervision and control over personnel and properties of NCMF.
Organizational Structure (Section 10): NCMF composed of offices of Secretary, Commissioners, Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, Bureaus, Services, Regional Offices, Field Offices and Sub-offices.
Bureaus (Section 11):
• Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs - promote economic livelihood programs, loans, entrepreneurship, trade, marketing, cooperatives, manpower training for Muslim Filipinos
• Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs - conduct research on cultural development, formulate education program, maintain library/museum, oversee Qur'an reading competition
• Bureau of Muslim Settlement - promote and develop Muslim Filipino settlements
• Bureau of External Relations - forge linkages with Muslim Filipino communities/organizations, serve as public information arm
• Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment - administer annual Hajj pilgrimage, formulate guidelines, establish special trust fund for fees, accredit sheikhs, post Hajj timetable, administer awqaf properties/institutions
• Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution - responsible for peace and settlement of conflicts among Muslim Filipinos, participate in national peace process
• Bureau of Legal Affairs - provide legal education and assistance to Muslim Filipinos, act as legal counsel, investigate cases involving personnel
Services (Section 12):
• Administrative Service - provide staff services on personnel, information, records, supplies, equipment, collection, disbursement, security, custodial work
• Finance and Management Service - provide advice and assistance on budgetary, financial and management matters
• Planning Service - provide staff services on planning, monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects
Regional/Field/Sub-Offices (Section 13): Authorized to establish Regional Offices headed by Regional Directors to implement laws, rules, regulations, policies, programs and projects of NCMF in administrative regions.
Secretariat (Section 14): Organized to assist Secretary, headed by Executive Director appointed by President.
Hajj Attaché (Section 15): Appointed by President from 3 NCMF recommendees to coordinate with Saudi Ministry of Hajj on annual Hajj matters.
Amirul Hajj (Section 16): Secretary of NCMF appointed as Amirul Hajj to serve as President's representative and head of Muslim Filipino pilgrims for annual Hajj.
Change of Pilgrim's Name (Section 17): NCMF to authenticate certification issued by Hajj Attaché and Saudi Ministry of Hajj providing Muslim name to pilgrim, to be legally recognized.
Appropriations (Section 18): ₱100,000,000 appropriated for initial implementation in addition to current OMA appropriations. Subsequent funding through annual General Appropriations Act.
Record of Transactions and Audit (Section 19): NCMF to keep proper accounts and records, subject to audit by Commission on Audit.
Civil Service and GSIS Coverage for Employees (Sections 20-21): NCMF employees covered by Civil Service Law and GSIS.
Transitory Provisions (Section 22): OMA abolished, assets/liabilities transferred to NCMF. OMA employees absorbed by NCMF. Separation pay for separated/phased-out employees. Work program to be recommended by Secretary within 90 days.
Periodic Performance Evaluation (Section 23): Secretary to formulate and enforce system of measuring and evaluating NCMF performance annually.
Implementing Rules (Section 24): To be issued by NCMF and DBM within 90 days.
Separability Clause (Section 25)
Repealing Clause (Section 26): Repeals EO 122-A as amended by EO 295 and other inconsistent laws.
Effectivity (Section 27): 15 days after publication in 2 national newspapers.
Declaration of Policy (Section 2): The State shall ensure the rights and well-being of Muslim Filipinos, respect their beliefs, customs, traditions and institutions, and ensure their contribution to national goals.
Creation and Composition:
• Creates the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) under the Office of the President to take over functions of the abolished Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) (Section 3)
• Mandates NCMF to preserve and develop culture, tradition, institutions and well-being of Muslim Filipinos (Section 4)
• Composed of 9 full-time Muslim Filipino Commissioners appointed by the President, including 1 from women sector, 1 from youth sector, 1 from Ulama sector (Section 5)
• Secretary appointed from among Commissioners with Cabinet rank (Section 6)
• Commissioners have 4-year terms, with initial terms staggered (Section 6)
• President may remove Commissioners before term expiration for cause (Section 7)
Powers and Functions (Section 8):
• Advise the President on policies, plans, programs and projects affecting Muslim Filipino communities
• Undertake and coordinate development programs and projects for Muslim Filipino communities, including designing and implementing settlements, but not taking jurisdiction over ancestral domains
• Act as primary government agency for Muslim Filipinos to seek assistance and redress
• Participate in peace process involving conflicts between Muslim Filipino groups and government
• Enter into contracts, agreements or arrangements as necessary
• Promote domestic trade, commerce, joint ventures and investments among Muslim Filipino communities based on Islamic business and finance principles
• Recommend proposed expenditure for development of Muslim Filipino communities to DBM
• Promote and develop Philippine Halal Industry and accredit halal-certifying entities
• Monitor and evaluate performance of government policies and programs for Muslim Filipinos
• Acquire, lease or own properties for benefit of Muslim Filipino communities
• Solicit and accept grants, donations and gifts for benefit of Muslim Filipinos
• Undertake studies, establish research centers and museums on Muslim Filipino cultures
• Certify membership in Muslim Filipino communities for government/private requirements
• Provide legal and technical services for survey, adjudication, titling and development of Muslim Filipino ancestral lands and settlements
• Assist NSO in conducting census on Muslim Filipino population
• Administer programs, projects and activities for annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca
• Promote development of Hajj Assistance Fund from Muslim Filipino contributions
• Administer awqaf properties and institutions, receive awqaf investments
• Prescribe rules for establishment of awqaf institutions, administration of awqaf assets, settlement of disputes among awqaf beneficiaries
• Formulate programs to strengthen Madaris schools, Islamic Studies, Shari'ah and Islamic jurisprudence
• Promote and supervise implementation of Madrasah education system, provide assistance in accreditation
• Ensure Madrasah curriculum conforms with national formal education system
• Develop criteria for local and foreign scholarships for Madrasah students and teachers
• Provide and facilitate access to scholarships for deserving Muslim Filipinos
• Ensure continuous transfer of technology to Muslim Filipino communities
• Promulgate rules and exercise powers necessary to carry out objectives
Administrative Supervision and Control (Section 9): Secretary has administrative supervision and control over personnel and properties of NCMF.
Organizational Structure (Section 10): NCMF composed of offices of Secretary, Commissioners, Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, Bureaus, Services, Regional Offices, Field Offices and Sub-offices.
Bureaus (Section 11):
• Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs - promote economic livelihood programs, loans, entrepreneurship, trade, marketing, cooperatives, manpower training for Muslim Filipinos
• Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs - conduct research on cultural development, formulate education program, maintain library/museum, oversee Qur'an reading competition
• Bureau of Muslim Settlement - promote and develop Muslim Filipino settlements
• Bureau of External Relations - forge linkages with Muslim Filipino communities/organizations, serve as public information arm
• Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment - administer annual Hajj pilgrimage, formulate guidelines, establish special trust fund for fees, accredit sheikhs, post Hajj timetable, administer awqaf properties/institutions
• Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution - responsible for peace and settlement of conflicts among Muslim Filipinos, participate in national peace process
• Bureau of Legal Affairs - provide legal education and assistance to Muslim Filipinos, act as legal counsel, investigate cases involving personnel
Services (Section 12):
• Administrative Service - provide staff services on personnel, information, records, supplies, equipment, collection, disbursement, security, custodial work
• Finance and Management Service - provide advice and assistance on budgetary, financial and management matters
• Planning Service - provide staff services on planning, monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects
Regional/Field/Sub-Offices (Section 13): Authorized to establish Regional Offices headed by Regional Directors to implement laws, rules, regulations, policies, programs and projects of NCMF in administrative regions.
Secretariat (Section 14): Organized to assist Secretary, headed by Executive Director appointed by President.
Hajj Attaché (Section 15): Appointed by President from 3 NCMF recommendees to coordinate with Saudi Ministry of Hajj on annual Hajj matters.
Amirul Hajj (Section 16): Secretary of NCMF appointed as Amirul Hajj to serve as President's representative and head of Muslim Filipino pilgrims for annual Hajj.
Change of Pilgrim's Name (Section 17): NCMF to authenticate certification issued by Hajj Attaché and Saudi Ministry of Hajj providing Muslim name to pilgrim, to be legally recognized.
Appropriations (Section 18): ₱100,000,000 appropriated for initial implementation in addition to current OMA appropriations. Subsequent funding through annual General Appropriations Act.
Record of Transactions and Audit (Section 19): NCMF to keep proper accounts and records, subject to audit by Commission on Audit.
Civil Service and GSIS Coverage for Employees (Sections 20-21): NCMF employees covered by Civil Service Law and GSIS.
Transitory Provisions (Section 22): OMA abolished, assets/liabilities transferred to NCMF. OMA employees absorbed by NCMF. Separation pay for separated/phased-out employees. Work program to be recommended by Secretary within 90 days.
Periodic Performance Evaluation (Section 23): Secretary to formulate and enforce system of measuring and evaluating NCMF performance annually.
Implementing Rules (Section 24): To be issued by NCMF and DBM within 90 days.
Separability Clause (Section 25)
Repealing Clause (Section 26): Repeals EO 122-A as amended by EO 295 and other inconsistent laws.
Effectivity (Section 27): 15 days after publication in 2 national newspapers.