National Commission on Muslim Filipinos

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (Filipino: Pambansang Komisyon sa mga Pilipinong Muslim, Arabic: اللجنة الوطنية لمسلمي الفلبيني)is a government agency in the Philippines, whose objective is to promote the rights of Muslim Filipinos and to make them active participants in Philippine nation-building.

National Commission on Muslim Filipinos
Pambansang Komisyon sa mga Pilipinong Muslim
اللجنة الوطنية لمسلمي الفلبيني
Agency overview
FormedFebruary 18, 2010 (2010-02-18)
Preceding agency
  • Office on Muslim Affairs
JurisdictionGovernment of the Philippines
Headquarters79 Jocfer Annex Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines
Annual budget₱671.57 million (2020)[1]
Agency executives
Parent agencyDepartment of the Interior and Local Government
Websitewww.ncmf.gov.ph

NCMF is one of the 12 agencies, formerly from the Office of the President which now placed under the supervision of the Cabinet Secretary, based on Executive Order No. 1 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 4, 2016.[2] On October 31, 2018, the Commission, through Executive Order No. 67, was transferred to the Department of the Interior and Local Government along with the National Youth Commission and the Philippine Commission on Women as part of the reorganization of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary.

History

On July 23, 1979, President Ferdinand Marcos signed Executive Order No. 549 creating the Office of the Commissioner for Islamic Affairs.[3] Rear Admiral Romulo Espaldon was appointed as commissioner.[4]

On May 28, 1981, the Office of the Commissioner for Islamic Affairs was abolished and replaced with the Ministry of Muslim Affairs by virtue of Executive Order No. 697[5] with Espaldon as Minister.[6] Under his leadership, the Philippine Shari'ah Institute was launched[7] and spearheaded the translation of the Code of Muslim Personal Laws from English to Arabic,[8] and the first Madrasa policy conference was held to discuss the integration of Madrasa-type education into the Philippine Educational System.[9]

Two months later, the Ministry was renamed Office of Muslim Affairs in order to minimize the number of ministries (25 at the time) and simplify the management of government. Other ministries that were reclassified as offices were the Ministry of Budget and Ministry of Public Information.[10]

On June 30, 1984, the Office of Muslim Affairs was merged with the Office of the Presidential Assistant on National Minorities to form the Office of Muslim Affairs and Cultural Communities (OMACC).[11] It was headed by Simeon Datumanong.[12]

On January 30, 1987, President Corazon Aquino divided the OMACC into three distinct and separate offices: the Office for the Muslim Affairs (OMA),[13] the Office for Northern Cultural Communities (ONCC),[14] and the Office for Southern Cultural Communities (OSCC).[15] The OMA was headed by Candu Muharrif.[16]

On February 18, 2010, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 9997 which abolished the OMA and created the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.[17]

Major Development Programs

Pursuant to its mandate, the NCMF is pursuing the following major development programs:

  • Promotion and development of Muslim economic affairs;
  • Promotion, development and enhancement of Muslim culture and institutions;
  • Promotion and development of Muslim settlements;
  • Coordination with other Muslim countries;
  • Coordination, supervision and administration of pilgrimage;
  • Rehabilitation of rebel returnees;
  • Institutional support to Qu’ran reading competitions;
  • Support to Shari’ah project implementation;
  • Support to Madrasa education;
  • Implementation of socioeconomic and cultural development programs; and
  • Support services program.

Composition

The main difference between the Commission and its predecessor is its composition: the Office on Muslim Affairs was headed by three Directors, who were appointed by the President. The nine members of the new Commission are still appointed by the President. All of them, however, must be Muslim Filipinos; one female, one a religious leader, the other five each from a different tribe.[18] These provisions aim to represent the whole of the Muslim Filipino community equitably in the Commission. The members hold office for six years, the position of chairman changes biannually, so as to prevent any single tribe from gaining a dominant position in the Commission.

The Commissioners

The Commission consists of a 9-member body, consisting of 8 Commissioners and the Secretary:

  • Secretary: Atty. Saidamen Balt Pangarungan
  • Commissioner for Women: Dalisay N. Macawadan
  • Commissioner for Ulama: Abdulhadi T. Daguit
  • Commissioner for Youth: Samer Musa Allong
  • Commissioner for Tausug: Fatmawatti T. Salapuddin
  • Commissioner for Yakan: Yusoph J. Mando
  • Commissioner for Iranon: Datu Ras S. Lidasan, Jr.
  • Commissioner for Maguindanaon: Abubakar M. Mangelen
  • Commissioner for Maranao: Samad S. Pangandaman

Bureaus

The Commission also consists of specialized Bureaus and Departments:

  • Bureau of External Relations (headed by Dir. Dimapuno A. Datu-Ramos Jr., MD)
  • Bureau of Muslim Settlements (headed by Acting Dir. Yasmin A. Naga)
  • Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs (headed by Dir. Atty. Sittie Amirah K. Pendatun)
  • Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs (Dir. Laman M. Piang, CESO IV)
  • Bureau of Peace & Conflict Resolution (headed by Acting Dir. Cosanie M. Derogongan)
  • Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment (headed by Dir. Mito-on M. Ibra)
  • Bureau of Legal Affairs (headed by Dir. Atty. Rolando T. Abo)
  • Administrative Service (headed by Dir. Abdullah S. Macarimpas)
  • Planning Service (headed by Dir. Haidee V. Ampatuan, MNSA)
  • Finance and Management Service (headed by OIC Khamil M. Manalundong)

Functions

Pursuant to Republic Act 9997, the Commission fulfills several functions:

  • Advising and assisting the President on issues affecting the Muslim Filipino community;
  • Providing legal assistance;
  • Promoting and organizing the annual Hajj;
  • Prescribing rules for the establishment of awqaf;
  • Promoting and supervising the Madrasa education system;
  • Providing scholarships; and
  • Being the primary agency through which Muslims can seek government assistance or redress.

References
  1. Aika Rey (8 January 2020). "Where will the money go?". Rappler. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  2. Ranada, Pia (July 4, 2016). "Duterte's 1st EO: Simpler, faster anti-poverty services". Rappler. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  3. "Executive Order No. 549, s. 1979 | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  4. "Official Week in Review: July 23 – July 29, 1979 | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  5. "Executive Order No. 697, s. 1981 | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  6. "Official Week in Review: May 25 – May 31, 1981 | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  7. Institutional Strengthening of the Shari'a Justice System (PDF). United Nations Development Program and Supreme Court of the Philippines. 2004. p. 105.
  8. Abdulkarim, Prof. Kamarodin A. "IS 110 - Introduction to Islamic Law and Jurisprudence". Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  9. "Address of President Marcos on the First Anniversary of the Ministry of Muslim Affairs | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  10. "Executive Order No. 711, s. 1981 | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  11. "Executive Order No. 969, s. 1984 | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  12. Unson, John. "ARMM mourns death of former Maguindanao Rep. Datumanong". philstar.com. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  13. "E.O. No. 122-A". lawphil.net. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  14. "E.O. No. 122-B". lawphil.net. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  15. "E.O. No. 122-C". lawphil.net. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  16. WATANABE, AKIKO (2008). "Representing Muslimness Strategic Essentialism in a Land Dispute in Metro Manila". Philippine Studies. 56 (3): 285–311. ISSN 0031-7837.
  17. "Republic Act No. 9997". lawphil.net. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  18. Section 5 of the Act Creating the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos of 11 August 2008
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