During the briefing of the Committee on Appropriations for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 proposed budget at the House of Representatives on Monday, August 5, 2024, Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman expressed her commitment to resolving several challenges faced by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) in managing the collection and disbursement of funds for the Hajj Pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam.

Lanao del Norte 1st District Congressman Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo raised concerns about the difficulties the NCMF encounters in adhering to government processes while efficiently organizing the Hajj. He suggested that instead of the NCMF Secretary constantly seeking exemptions, special provisions could be included in the NCMF budget to prevent delays in payments for the annual Hajj for Filipino Muslims.

“We have seen that there might be a little bit of a problem with the NCMF properly implementing the Hajj if they followed all government processes to the dot. This is a manifestation requesting that the DOF (Department of Finance), DBM, and when the time comes, COA (Commission on Audit), will hopefully support the idea of instead the NCMF Secretary always asking for exemptions, perhaps we can just include it in the special provisions of the NCMF budget so that there will be no threat of delay of payments for the conduct of the annual Hajj for the Filipino Muslims,” urged Congressman Dimaporo.

In response, Secretary Pangandaman announced a significant change in the management of Hajj funds, stating that trust receipts have been converted into a Special Hajj Fund as provided under RA 9997.

“The special provision po under the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos about the trust receipts, binago na po namin siya. Special Hajj Fund na po siya as provided under RA (Republic Act) 9997 cash balances of affirmation fund. Pwede na po nila magamit ‘yung fund nila. Binago na po namin yung nature,” explained the Budget Secretary.

Additionally, Secretary Pangandaman mentioned her recent meeting with the NCMF Secretary to discuss improving procurement processes.

“I met him two weeks ago and told him that we will sit down together with the GPPB (Government Procurement Policy Board) to streamline procurement. Early processing is needed to secure suppliers for the upcoming Hajj. By October this year, they need to start identifying possible suppliers,” added Secretary Mina.

The DBM’s efforts aim to expedite the implementation and payment processes for the Hajj pilgrimage so that Filipino Muslim pilgrims can perform this important religious duty without unnecessary delays.

“Ang budget po natin ay sa 2025 pa. Tutulungan po namin sila [NCMF] do’n para po mas mabilis ‘yung implementation and payments,” the DBM Secretary ended.

In turn, the Lanao District representative expressed gratitude to Secretary Pangandaman for her efforts in ensuring the success of the Hajj Pilgrimage.

The proposed inclusion of special provisions in the NCMF budget and the DBM’s proactive measures signify an important step toward improving the administrative efficiency of the Hajj pilgrimage, reflecting the government’s dedication to supporting the religious needs of Muslim Filipinos under the Bagong Pilipinas.

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