The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos ( fil, Pambansang Komisyon sa mga Pilipinong Muslim; ar, اللجنة الوطنية لمسلمي الفلبين : ''allajnat alwataniat limuslimi alfilibiyn'') is a government agency in the Philippines, whose objective is to promote the rights of
Muslim Filipinos
Islam was the first-recorded monotheistic religion in the Philippines. Islam reached the Philippines in the 14th century with the arrival of Muslim traders from the Persian Gulf, southern India, and their followers from several sultanates in th ...
and to make them active participants in Philippine nation-building.
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
Rodrigo Roa Duterte (, ; born March 28, 1945), also known as Digong, Rody, and by the initials DU30 and PRRD, is a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the 16th president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He is the chairperson ...
on July 4, 2016. On October 31, 2018, the Commission, through Executive Order No. 67, was transferred to the
Department of the Interior and Local Government
The Department of the Interior and Local Government ( fil, Kagawaran ng Interyor at Pamahalaang Lokal), abbreviated as DILG, is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for promoting peace and order, ensuring public saf ...
along with the
National Youth Commission and the
Philippine Commission on Women
The Philippine Commission on Women (formerly the National Commission on the Role of the Filipino Women), is a government agency run by the government of the Philippines with the intention of promoting and protecting the rights of the Women in th ...
as part of the reorganization of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary.
History
On July 23, 1979, President
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. ( , , ; September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was a Filipino politician, lawyer, dictator, and kleptocrat who was the 10th president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He ruled under martial ...
signed Executive Order No. 549 creating the Office of the Commissioner for Islamic Affairs.
Rear Admiral Romulo Espaldon was appointed as commissioner.
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 with Espaldon as Minister. Under his leadership, the Philippine Shari'ah Institute was launched and spearheaded the translation of the Code of Muslim Personal Laws from English to Arabic, and the first
Madrasa
Madrasa (, also , ; Arabic: مدرسة , pl. , ) is the Arabic word for any type of educational institution, secular or religious (of any religion), whether for elementary instruction or higher learning. The word is variously transliterated '' ...
policy conference was held to discuss the integration of Madrasa-type education into the Philippine Educational System.
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.
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). It was headed by
Simeon Datumanong
Simeon Datumanong (June 17, 1935 – February 28, 2017) was a Filipino Muslim politician who held different government positions including being a representative of the lone district of Maguindanao in the House of Representatives of the Philipp ...
.
On January 30, 1987, President
Corazon Aquino
Maria Corazon "Cory" Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino (; ; January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009) was a Filipina politician who served as the 11th president of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992. She was the most prominent figure of the 1986 People P ...
divided the OMACC into three distinct and separate offices: the Office for the Muslim Affairs (OMA), the Office for Northern Cultural Communities (ONCC), and the Office for Southern Cultural Communities (OSCC). The OMA was headed by Candu Muharrif.
On February 18, 2010, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 9997 which abolished the OMA and created the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.
Major development programs
Pursuant to its mandate, the NCMF is pursuing the following major development programs:
*Coordination with other Muslim countries;
*Coordination, supervision and administration of
pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about their self, others, nature, or a higher good, through the experience. It can lead to a personal transformation, aft ...
;
*Implementation of socioeconomic and cultural development programs;
*Institutional support to
Qu’ran reading competitions;
*Promotion and development of
Muslim economic affairs;
*Promotion and development of Muslim settlements;
*Promotion, development and enhancement of Muslim culture and institutions;
*Rehabilitation of rebel returnees;
*Support services program;
*Support to
Madrasa
Madrasa (, also , ; Arabic: مدرسة , pl. , ) is the Arabic word for any type of educational institution, secular or religious (of any religion), whether for elementary instruction or higher learning. The word is variously transliterated '' ...
education; and
*Support to
Shari’ah
Sharia (; ar, شريعة, sharīʿa ) is a body of religious law that forms a part of the Islamic tradition. It is derived from the religious precepts of Islam and is based on the sacred scriptures of Islam, particularly the Quran and the H ...
project implementation.
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.
Section 5 of the Act Creating the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos of 11 August 2008
/ref> 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.
Board of Commissioners
The Commission consists of a 9-member body, consisting of 8 Commissioners and the Secretary:
*Secretary/Chairman: Atty. Guiling "Gene" A. Mamondiong
Members of the Commission:
*Dalisay N. Macadawan
*Ismael V. Mastura
*Samer L. Allong
*Yusoph J. Mando
*Datu Ras S. Lidasan Jr.
*Dra. Anna Kharima B. Mindalao-Lao
*Michael M. Mamukid
*Jamal M. Munib
Bureaus
The Commission also consists of specialized Bureaus and Departments:
*Administrative Service (headed by Dir. Abdullah S. Macarimpas)
*Bureau of External Relations (headed by Dir. Dimapuno A. Datu-Ramos Jr., MD)
*Bureau of Legal Affairs (headed by Dir. Atty. Rolando T. Abo)
*Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs (headed by Dir. Ceazar M. Maranda, CPA)
*Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs (headed by Dir. Saleha P. Sacar)
*Bureau of Muslim Settlements (headed by Dir. Sultan Masideng M. Salic)
*Bureau of Peace & Conflict Resolution (headed by Dir. Cosanie M. Derogongan)
*Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment (headed by OIC Malo M. Manonggiring)
*Finance and Management Service (headed by OIC Estrella Neri)
*Planning Service (headed by Dir. Haidee V. Ampatuan, MNSA)
Functions
Pursuant to Republic Act 9997, the Commission fulfills several functions:
*Advising and assisting the President on issues affecting the Muslim Filipino community;
*Being the primary agency through which Muslims can seek government assistance or redress;
*Prescribing rules for the establishment of awqaf
A waqf ( ar, وَقْف; ), also known as hubous () or '' mortmain'' property is an inalienable charitable endowment under Islamic law. It typically involves donating a building, plot of land or other assets for Muslim religious or charitab ...
;
*Promoting and organizing the annual Hajj
The Hajj (; ar, حَجّ '; sometimes also spelled Hadj, Hadji or Haj in English) is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried ...
;
*Promoting and supervising the Madrasa
Madrasa (, also , ; Arabic: مدرسة , pl. , ) is the Arabic word for any type of educational institution, secular or religious (of any religion), whether for elementary instruction or higher learning. The word is variously transliterated '' ...
education system;
*Providing legal assistance; and
*Providing scholarships.
References
External links
*
Filipino Muslim
{{Authority control
Islam in the Philippines
Islamic organizations based in the Philippines