COTABATO CITY – In a bid to establish bigger Muslim public cemeteries, some members of the Bangsamoro Parliament filed a bill requiring all Local Government Units (LGUs) in the region to allocate land spaces for public cemeteries.

The Bangsamoro Public Cemetery Act 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 will be intended for non-Muslims.

MPs Amilbahar Mawallil, Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., and Engr. Baintan Ampatuan submitted the measure in Parliament.

“The establishment of Bangsamoro Public Cemeteries is a reflection of the Bangsamoro’s values, ensuring that each rite is fulfilled by having the appropriate facilities,” Mawallil said during his speech.

According to him, Janazah (funeral) is one of the rites that reflects the Islamic faith, values and culture.

However, as he also mentioned in the session, Muslims have had difficulty performing such rites due to the lack of public cemeteries.

Under Section 2 of the proposed measure, the Bangsamoro Government must ensure its people’s beliefs, customs and traditions. It is also expected that the government will provide accessible health and social services that contribute to the general welfare of the Bangsamoro people.

“Passing the BTA Parliament Bill No. 104 is our way of expressing assurance that all our beloved or even ourselves will be accorded with the appropriate rites in our final moments on the surface,” he added.

The proposed measure has now been referred to committees on social services and local government. (Publication and Media Relations Division)