Multi-faith Prayer and Quiet Rooms Act of the Philippines

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TWENTIETH CONGRESS First Regular Session SENATE S. No. 1629 PREPARED AND SUBMITTED JOINTLY BY THE COMMITTEES ON CULTURAL COMMUNITIES AND MUSLIM AFFAIRS AND FINANCE WITH SENATORS PADILLA, VILLAR (M.), VILLANUEVA, AND ZUBIRI AS AUTHORS THEREOF AN ACT PROVIDING FOR MULTI-FAITH PRAYER AND QUIET ROOMS IN PUBLIC OFFICES AND PUBLIC-FACING ESTABLISHMENTS Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as

2 the "Multi-Faith Prayer and Quiet Rooms (MFPQR) Act".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State, while

4 upholding the non-establishment clause of the 5 Constitution, respects the freedom of religion and the free 6 exercise thereof. The State recognizes the diversity of 7 faiths, beliefs, and practices in the country and affirms its 8 duty to promote inclusion, mutual respect, and the well-being

of government workers and the general public by providing neutral, non-discriminatory, and safe spaces for quiet reflection, prayer, and meditation within government offices and public-facing establishments.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Government offices refer to central and regional offices of the national government, including constitutional bodies, government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges, and offices of local government units (LGUs); (b) Multi-Faith Prayer and Quiet Room (MFPQR) refers to a designated, enclosed, and accessible space intended for quiet prayer, reflection, or meditation by persons of all faiths and beliefs; and (c) Public-facing establishments refer to government-owned or privately-owned facilities that regularly admit the public, such as but not limited to transportation hubs and terminals, airports, seaports, and health malls, markets, hospitals facilities,

• educational institutions, courts, museums, parks, sports complexes, convention venues, and buildings providing essential frontline services. High-security or restricted areas, such as but not limited to detention centers and controlled-access facilities shall be excluded.

SEC. 4. Establishment of MFPQR. - Government

offices and public-facing establishments shall, as far as practicable, establish at least one (1) MFPQR, or designate an existing area or areas within their premises for this purpose. The concerned government offices and public-facing establishments shall maintain the MFPQR as a religiously neutral space without any furniture, fixture, or symbol representing a specific religion or denomination. Religious items may be brought in for prayer or meditation and shall be cleared from the premises after use. Public-facing establishments shall bear the cost in compliance with this Act.

SEC. 5. Recommended Design and Facility 2 Requirements. - The MFPQR design shall, as far as practicable, take into consideration the following: (a) A minimum floor area commensurate with the expected number of users as determined by the government office or public-facing establishment; (b) Adequate ventilation and lighting; (c) Clean flooring suitable for praying, reflection, or meditation; (d) Configurable areas with movable partitions for standing, kneeling, or sitting; (e) An ablution area for cleansing and preparatory practices that is gender-sensitive, accessible, equipped with low faucets, bidets, or foot-washing basins, and located within close proximity to the MFPQR. The ablution area may be located in comfort rooms adjacent to or in close proximity with the MFPQR; and (f) Signage using the "Quiet Room" symbol.

In no case shall the MFPQR be established within designated smoking areas or comfort rooms.

SEC. 6. Incentive-Based Integration in the Seal of

Good Local Governance. - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall integrate the voluntary establishment and maintenance of a MFPQR by LGUs as a non-obligatory criteria indicator under the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) or its successor assessment framework. Compliance with this indicator shall not be mandatory, and non-compliance shall neither disqualify nor demerit an LGU from obtaining or retaining the seal. However, LGUs that voluntarily establish and maintain MEPQRs in accordance with this Act and its implementing rules and regulations shall be awarded additional incentive points, merits, or other equivalent recognitions or scoring credits, as may be determined by the DILG in the design and implementation of the SGLG or its successor assessment framework.

The DILG shall promulgate the necessary guidelines to operationalize this incentive-based indicator, including criteria for assessment, documentation requirements, point 4 allocation, and verification mechanisms, ensuring that 5 implementation remains voluntary, non-discriminatory, and consistent with the principles of local autonomy and inclusivity.

SEC. 7. Local Government Support Fund Eligibility. -

9 The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall include the establishment, construction, retrofitting, or improvement of MFPQRs in the menu of eligible projects that may be financed under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), subject to the rules, guidelines, and policies issued by the DBM on budgeting, programming, prioritization, and fund utilization. SEC. 8. Voluntary Compliance. - Public-facing establishments not covered under Section 3 that voluntarily designate and maintain MFPQRs in accordance with this Act may apply for recognition as multi-faith-friendly

establishments or other appropriate government recognitions, subject to inspection and certification by relevant agencies. Accredited establishments may enjoy the following incentives: (a) Eligibility for inclusion in the Department of Tourism or other agencies' promotional programs; (b) Participation in a voluntary recognition program established by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in coordination with the DILG, to encourage the establishment and maintenance of MFPQRs in private public-facing establishments. The program shall provide for the development of standards and criteria for recognition, periodic assessment, and the conduct of an annual or periodic certification process, pursuant to which compliant establishments may be granted commendations, seals, or other forms of public recognition for promoting inclusivity and accessibility.

and The specific criteria, procedures, standards, modalities for participation, assessment, and recognition under this section shall be provided in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act; (c) Access to technical assistance from relevant government agencies; and (d) Priority endorsement for participation in government fairs, expositions, or travel promotions related 9 to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the

initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations and the Corporate Operating Budgets (COB) of the government agencies concerned. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, or the COB, as the case may be.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The

Civil Service Commission and the DTI, in coordination

with the DBM, the DILG, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, and other pertinent government agencies, shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of

this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All other laws,

presidential decrees, executive orders, letters of instruction, proclamations, administrative orders, rules, or regulations that are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take

effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,