ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment is headed by a Bureau Director and composed of the following divisions to manage its operations, namely:

1. Pilgrimage Operations Division
2. Endowment Administration Division

OPERATION POLICIES AND GUIDELINES ON HAJJ

Who is Qualified to Perform Hajj?

A person is deemed qualified to perform Hajj when he or she is:

Spiritually Prepared

1. His/her intention is sincere and aimed only to seek Allah’s pleasure; and
2. Familiar with the stages/rituals of the Hajj and other recommended devotional acts.

Financially Capable

1. Has the capability to pay his/her travel expenses (airfare, land transportation, lodging, food, and other expenses);
2. Has the capability to allocate provisions for dependents left at home;
3. Has no personal debts; and
4. His/her pilgrimage is not a result of borrowings and begging.

Physically and Mentally Fit as confirmed by a Physician

1. Must be in good health;
2. Must not have a communicable disease; and
3. If partially disabled (one who can at least sit and stand), must travel with an aide at all times.

Requirements for Registration

Personal Requirements

1. Personal interview of the applicant; and
2. Personal appearance of the applicant at any DFA Consular Office upon filing of application for Regular Passport.

Special Personal Requirements

1. Female applicants must be traveling with a Mahram;
2. Minor applicants must be accompanied by both parents; and
3. Old-aged and handicapped applicants must be accompanied, at all times, by a physically fit relative.

Documentary Requirements

1. Application for Pilgrimage (Hajj Form No. 1);
2. Joint affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons/NSO authenticated birth certificate of the applicant;
3. Medical Certificate (Yellow Card) issued by the Bureau of Quarantine certifying that the pilgrim has been vaccinated against meningitis and flu;
4. Application for passport (DFA Form supplied);
5. Certificate of Tribal Membership (CTM) (Hajj Form No. 2);
6. Six (6) copies of passport size (1.77” x 1.37”) recent colored photos in royal blue background; headdress in photo must be in dark color (black, brown, etc.); and Two (2) copies of passport size photo in plain white background and Two (2) copies ID size (1” x 1”).

Special Documentary Requirements

1. For Reverts/Balik-Islam: Duly authenticated Certificate of Reversion/Conversion to Islam;
2. For woman-pilgrim whose Mahram is her husband: Marriage Contract or Joint Affidavit of Marriage;
3. For Government Official/ Employee: Appropriate travel order and/or Office Clearance; and
4. Other travel documents, as may be required.

Where to Register for Hajj

Applications shall be filed at any NCMF designated Pilgrimage Registration & Processing Centers.  However, final arrangements for services and travel documentary requirements shall be done at the Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment (NCMF-BPE Central Office), located at: 3^rd Floor Jocfer (Annex) Building, Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

Annual Hajj Operation Frontline Services

• Requirements: – Valid Passport;

For those who do not have passports: –

1. Birth Certificate (NSO);
2. Marriage Contract (for married applicant)
3. Tribal Certificate
4. Valid Identification Card
5. Personal Appearance

• Schedule of availability of service – Monday to Thursday – 8:00am to 5:00pm

• Who may avail of the service – Muslim Filipinos 

Requirements for Hajj Visa Application

The Consular Section of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia starts granting Hajj visa annually effective 10^th of Shawwal until 25^th Dhulqa’da of every Hijrah year.  Submission of application for Hajj visa must be through the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos with the following requirements:

1. A passport and/or legal travel documents must be valid for at least 6 months and must have a minimum of two blank pages.
2. Two recent passport photographs (ID pictures) with white background.
3. Visa Application Form signed and stamped by NCMF. Original and/or legible photocopy of such Form is acceptable.
4. Airline ticket. Each applicant must be in possession of a round trip ticket with confirmed reservations.
5. International Certificate of Vaccination issued by the Bureau of Quarantine. Children aged from three months to twelve years old must be examined by primary care doctors.
6. Mahram – All female intending pilgrims are required to travel with a Mahram (male escort – close relative). Proof of relationship with the Mahram must be submitted.  Female over the age of 45 may travel without Mahram but with an organized group.  She must, however, submit no objection letter from her husband, son or brother, authorizing her travel for Hajj with the named group.  Such letter should be notarized by a notary public.  The Mahram should write his complete information on the application of wife and children, or any other relative whom he is traveling with.  Marriage and birth certificates issued outside of the Philippine should be translated and notarized by a certified translations office.  Applicants under the legal age will not be granted a Hajj visa if not accompanied by their parents.
7. Hajj visa is granted gratis.
8. Foreigners who are Muslims and residing permanently in the Philippines may be indorsed by NCMF for the grant of Hajj visa by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia after complying with the requirements set by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in related official issuance.

Guidelines on Working Relationship with Travel Agencies and Documentary Requirements

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall accord the pilgrims free choice of Travel Agencies and Airlines or other means of transportation to and from the site of pilgrimage. 

It shall not require accreditation of any travel agency or airline.  However, pursuant to Section 8, par. (q) Republic Act No. 9997, empowering the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos to formulate necessary rules and regulations to ensure the success of the annual Hajj.  Travel Agencies participating in the Hajj operations are required to closely work and coordinate with the Commission and observe the following guidelines, as follows:

Guidelines on Working Relationship

1. The participating travel agency shall submit to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos a Letter of Intent and the profile of the company;
2. It must be financially capable of putting up the fare percentage set by the concerned airlines required for advance payment;
3. It shall adopt “no proof of payment of mutawiff, no issuance of ticket” policy for the intending pilgrims including the Sheikhs or leaders of pilgrims, preferably requiring appropriate certification of payment from the Hajj Finance Committee of the Commission;
4. It shall require Sheikhs to present valid Accreditation by the Commission for a particular year of Hajj Operations and/or proof of payment for mutawiff or appropriate Certification from the Commission which shall be the basis for issuance of tickets for Sheikhs and their Jama’ah;
5. It shall provide the Commission in advance, and on a daily basis, the list of pilgrims issued with tickets, indicating flight details;
6. It shall observe the deadline for submission of the final flight schedule required by Saudi Authorities in coordination with concerned Sheikhs;
7. It shall not allow rebooking of pilgrims, individually or in group, without prior arrangement and confirmation from the Commission;
8. Sheikhs and pilgrims shall be encouraged to book by group of not less than 45 jama’ahs in compliance with the Saudi policy requiring arrival of pilgrims in bulk, avoiding delay in transporting of pilgrims upon arrival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;
9. It shall release the airline tickets to the Commission upon availability, for immediate filing of Hajj visa applications by the Commission at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia;
10. It shall work closely with the Commission for appropriate recording of travel documents and monitoring of pilgrims from departure in Manila, until arrival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and return to the country; and
11. It shall designate Liaison Officer(s) who shall closely work and coordinate with the Commission.

Documentary Requirements

1. Company profile; and
2. Other documents, such as:

• International Air Transport Association (IATA) membership (at least 5 years)
• Certification/accreditation from Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Authority (TIEZA)
• Business permit
• SEC Registration
• Proof of financial capability
• Affidavit of Undertaking that:

NO ADVANCE BOOKING of pilgrims and bookings must comply with the minimum requirement of 45 jama’ahs (pilgrims) and guidelines on flight schedules set forth by the BPE, with proof of payment and duly endorsed by the Director of BPE; and the compliance with MIAA Memorandum Circular No. 8, Series of 2014 Re:  Implementation of the integration of the International Passenger Service Charge (Airport Terminal Fee) in the Airline Passenger Ticket.

Criteria and Requirements in the Accreditation of Sheikhs

Pursuant to Section 8, par (q), Republic Act No. 9997, empowering the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) to formulate necessary rules and regulations to ensure the success of the annual Hajj of the Filipino pilgrims, the following criteria and requirements in the accreditation of Sheikhs as Murshids or leaders of pilgrims participating in the Hajj Operations are hereby prescribed, as follows:

1. All Sheikhs intending to serve as Murshids or Leaders of Pilgrims shall apply in writing for accreditation by filling out an “Application Form” provided by the Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment (BPE) at any of the Hajj Registration and Processing Centers;
2. The applicant Sheikh must be mentally and physically fit as certified by a municipal, provincial or any government medical institution;
3. He must not be more than sixty-five (65) years of age as evidenced by the NSO authenticated Birth Certificate;
4. He must be able to read and speak Arabic or English, and should be well-versed in Islamic values, as certified by the Bureau Director, Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment;
5. He must have participated in the Consultative Meetings and/or the Hajj Awareness Program (HAP) Seminar on Trainor’s Training for Sheikhs conducted by the Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment;
6. For new Sheikh applicant, he must have performed hajj, at least, three (3) times, duly certified by the Bureau Director, Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment and must have learned the hajj rituals required of a Sheikh;
7. He must have no outstanding Hajj-related obligations, and must submit a Certificate of Good Moral Character issued by the concerned NCMF REGIONAL AND PROVINCIAL HAJJ REGISTRATION AND PROCESSING CENTERS (RPHRPC) which has jurisdiction in his area;
8. He must submit an NBI or a Police Clearance for the current year, indicating no pending criminal or administrative case;
9. He must sign a Contract of Service with the Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment, stipulating among others that booking shall be made in close coordination with BPE, compliant to the minimum and maximum required group number of 45 and 48 pilgrims, respectively, and duly endorsed by the BPE.
10. He must particularly observe the guidelines set forth by the Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment and the deadline for submission of the final flight schedule of his group, in coordination with his chosen travel agency;
11. He must also comply and observe the laws, rules, regulations and guidelines imposed by authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the performance of Hajj, particularly the Saudi policy requiring Hajj arrival in GROUP OF NOT LESS THAN 45 JAMA’AH, and submit ON TIME to the BPE his group flight schedule, in coordination with his chosen Travel Agency;
12. He must have no record of violation of any of the terms and conditions set in the previous and present Contract of Service and/or Affidavit of Undertaking he signed with the Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment;
13. He must not be currently employed at the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, regardless of the status of employment or area of assignment; and
14. Sheikh recommended for accreditation by the BPE Director shall be subject to final approval by the Secretary.

WAQF (ISLAMIC ENDOWMENT) ADMINISTRATION SERVICES

Interested applicants for registration as Waqf Institution, Property, Project, etc. shall, upon submission of necessary documents, be entered in the BPE’s Registry of Awqaf and shall avail of related services of the Bureau, particularly on the aspect of Awqaf management and administration.

For purposes of promoting and spreading the righteousness of Waqf, existing Waqf Institutions, Properties and Projects in the Philippines are candidates for Recognition (Recipient of Awards) by the Bureau and for Endorsement to prospective Waqf endowers for possible sponsorship and support.