National Commission on Muslim Filipinos

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]

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.

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 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

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)

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.

• National Commission on Muslim Filipinos
• Filipino Muslim