NCMF: Improved services for Filipino Hajj pilgrims this year

MANILA – Muslim Filipinos who will spend the Eid'l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) in Saudi Arabia this year are well supported by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).

During an interview at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon forum on Friday, NCMF Office of the Secretary Executive Assistant Raffie Usman reported that the 5,060 pilgrims were issued their visas in advance.

"Usually, two to three weeks before ng flight ng mga first batch ay nakapag-issue na tayo ng mga (the flight of the first batch, we were already able to issue) visas, earlier compared to previous years," Usman said.

He said their accommodation differentials of PHP7,500 each were also refunded ahead of time, as pushed by NCMF Secretary Sabuddin Abdurahim.

“Before sila nakaalis ng Saudi, na-refund po natin ito sa kanila (They received all the refunds before they left for Saudi)," Usman said.

The NCMF, he said, is also eyeing to digitalize Hajj registration and input QR (quick response) codes in Hajj identification cards to eliminate illegal activities.

According to Usman, they were able to maximize their services to the Hajj pilgrims because all are staying in the same hotel, located just 800 meters from Masjid Al-Haram or the Great Mosque of Mecca.

The Bureau of Immigration lilkewise provided the pilgrims with a special lane at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport when they left.

Hajj rituals in Saudi Arabia started Monday and will conclude on the day of Eid'l Adha.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared June 17 or the 10th day of Zhul Hijja -- the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar -- as a regular holiday to give way for the observance. (PNA)