Section 11Sec./Art. 11

Bureaus. - The Bureaus of the Commission shall consist of the Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs, Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs, Bureau of Muslim Settlement, Bureau of External Relations, Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment, Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution, and the Bureau of Legal Affairs. Each of these Bureaus shall be headed by a Director who shall hold the same rank, salary, and privileges of a Staff Bureau Director. The Bureau Director shall be appointed by the President from among the names or nominees submitted by the Commission to the President.

(a)Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs. - This Bureau shall promote and develop economic livelihood programs and projects through the extension of loans, entrepreneurship. trade and marketing assistance to the members of Muslim Filipino communities. It shall also be responsible for the promotion and development of cooperative endeavors among Muslim Filipinos in coordination with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). It shall likewise promote and implement manpower training and community self-help projects for the economic development of Muslim Filipinos.

(b)Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs. - This Bureau shall be responsible for the conduct of research and studies on the cultural development of Muslim Filipino communities which would serve as the basis for policy and plans formulation, and program and project implementation.

It shall formulate and implement an education program especially designed to improve the literacy level of Muslim Filipinos, including their study of the Arabic language, Islamic heritage, and maintain a central library, museum and audio-visual center to serve as repositories of information on the Muslim Filipino peoples.

It shall be responsible for the Madrasah institutions in the country wherein it will assist and facilitate the applications for registration and accreditation with the Department of Education (DepED). It shall also oversee the conduct of the Annual Quor'an Reading Competition.

(c)Bureau of Muslim Settlement. - This Bureau shall be responsible for the promotion and development of Muslim Filipino settlements in coordination with concerned agencies of the government.

(d)Bureau of External Relations - This Bureau shall be responsible in forging linkages among Muslim Filipino communities and organizations within and outside the country including print, broadcast and electronic communications. The Bureau shall also serve as the public information arm of the Commission and assist in fulfilling information dissemination on issues affecting Muslim Filipinos. It is tasked to carry-out sound dissemination practices and may use the services of other agencies to help achieve an informed judgment on issues.

(e)Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment. - This Bureau shall be primarily responsible for the administration of the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and the formulation and implementation of programs, projects and activities for the efficient and effective administration and supervision of the conduct of pilgrimage activities: Provided, That the supervision accorded the Bureau under this section shall not include control.

Pursuant to the above responsibilities, the Bureau shall formulate the necessary guidelines to ensure the timely processing of the pilgrim's travel documents and the equitable and reasonable collection of fees. Such collection shall be limited to mutawiff and passporting and/or processing fees only. Collected fees shall be deposited in a special trust fund which shall be established by the Commission, the expenses from which shall be subject to existing auditing laws, rules and regulations.

The pilgrims shall be accorded free choice of travel agencies and airlines or other means of transportation to and from the site of pilgrimage: Provided, That pilgrims comply with the prescribed arrival and departure schedule fixed by the Ministry of Hajj of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Provided, further, That all pilgrims shall be legitimate holders of round- trip tickets to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Provided, furthermore, That the pilgrims shall be free to choose on where to purchase or acquire other logistics, materials and supplies for the pilgrimage.

In no instance shall the pilgrims be forced to purchase such logistics, materials and supplies from the Commission or its authorized agents or representatives.

The Bureau shall also accredit qualified and deserving sheikhs. It shall also formulate, subject to the approval of the Commission, the timetable of annual Hajj activities which must be posted in all areas accessible to Muslim Filipinos.

The Bureau shall likewise be responsible for the administration of awqaf properties and institutions, and the conduct of research and studies for the establishment and maintenance of Hajj towns, Islamic centers and awqaf projects.

(f)Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution. - This Bureau shall primarily be responsible for the conduct of peace and. settlement of conflict among Muslim Filipinos and shall likewise participate in the national peace process efforts, particularly for Muslim Mindanao. It is aimed to prevent, de-escalate and find solution to conflicts by peaceful means.

(g)Bureau of Legal Affairs. - The Legal Affairs Bureau shall be responsible for providing Muslim Filipinos with legal education and assistance in case of litigation involving their persons or interests; act as the legal counsel of the Commission; and investigate cases involving its personnel and submit appropriate recommendations pertaining thereto. The Bureau shall also investigate valid complaints brought before the Commission.