COTABATO CITY —  The construction of another Muslim cemetery has started after Sahie Udjah, a member of the Bangsamoro Parliament, led the groundbreaking ceremony on June 26 in the province of Sulu.

Udjah allotted P2.5 million to construct the Muslim cemetery located at Sitio Matanda, Barangay Buansa, Indanan, Sulu. 

He said that the cemetery would assist the community in burying the remains of deceased Muslim residents due to the lack of burial grounds, particularly in Jolo, Indanan, Patikul, and Hadji Panglima Tahil.

“Among the recurring problems here is that they find it difficult to transport the deceased of their loved ones to their respective remote areas. We must also consider the fact that the existing public Muslim cemetery in Gandasuli, Patikul, Sulu, is approaching its capacity.” Udjah explained.

Udjah has also been repairing some mosques in the towns of Jolo, Lugus and Tapul.

“In addition, we are nearing completion of the AYNUN Orphanage and Learning Center in Jolo, Sulu,” he said, noting that their office allotted P1.5 million for the said project.

Meanwhile, a bill was filed last week requiring all Local Government Units (LGUs) in the region to allocate land spaces for public cemeteries.

The proposed bill would mandate LGUs in the region to allot at least 2,000 square meters of land per 1,000 population for a burial ground, with 20% of the space allocation intended for non-Muslims. (Publication and Media Relations Division)