Senate CEl Office of the a retarp First Regular Session 25 AUG 19 A9:40 SENATE RECEIVED BY. S. No. 1208 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MUSLIM PRAYER ROOMS IN ALL PUBLIC OFFICES AND ESTABLISHMENTS EXPLANATORY NOTE Article III, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution guarantees the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference. In the Philippines, where religious devotion is deeply ingrained, approximately 6.4% of the population identifies as Muslim, according to the latest available data from the 2020 census. The Islamic faith mandates our Muslim brothers and sisters to pray five times daily. As such, it is imperative for the free exercise of their Islamic faith that prayer rooms be made available where they can perform their prayer in a quiet, dry, and clean place. Such spaces not only respect the religious practices of Muslim individuals but also foster an inclusive environment that acknowledges and embraces diversity. In line with the policy of the State to promote and uphold religious freedom, this bill aims to establish adequate spaces within all public offices and establishments across the nation, enabling Muslim employees and visitors to fulfill their religious obligations. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR
Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session AUG 19 A9:40 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1208 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MUSLIM PRAYER ROOMS IN ALL PUBLIC OFFICES AND ESTABLISHMENTS Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared a policy of the State to promote
2 and uphold the religious rights of its citizenry. The State recognizes the importance of 3 providing adequate spaces for Muslim employees and visitors to fulfill their religious 4 duties in all public offices and establishments nationwide.
Sec. 2. Muslim Prayer Rooms. - All public offices and establishments nationwide
6 shall designate and set up at least one (1) separate Muslim prayer room within their respective premises. The provision and maintenance of Muslim prayer rooms are the responsibility of the public offices and establishments.
Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The National Commission on
10 Muslim Filipinos, in coordination with the other pertinent government agencies, shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity.
Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be
declared unconstitutional or invalid and shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.
Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall be take effect fifteen (15) days after
2 its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,