BA-ACT NO. 20 (The Bangsamoro Dual Calendar Act of 2021.)

BILL NO.87

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao BANGSAMORO PARLIAMENT

Bangsamoro Government Center,Cotabato City

BANGSAMORO TRANSITION AUTHORITY

(THIRD REGULAR SESSION)

BANGSAMORO AUTONOMY ACT NO.20

Begun and held in Cotabato City,on Friday,the 29th day of March.2019

ANACT MANDATING THE DUALUSE OF HIJRI AND GREGORIAN CALENDARS IN ALLMINISTRIES,AGENCIES,LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS,OFFICES AND

INSTITUTIONS IN THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGON IN MUSLIM

MINDANAO (BARMM),APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in Parliament assembled

Section 1. Short Title.-This Act shall be known as The Bangsamoro Dual Calendai Act of 2021.

Section 2.Declaration of Policy.-It is hereby declared the policy of the Bangsamoro Government that in the exercise of its right to self-governance, it shall be free to pursue its political,economic. social, and cultural development as provided in Republic Act R. A No 11054 otherwise known as the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Towards this end, the Bangsamoro Government adopts and mandates the

of the predominant way of life in the region and encourage all-inclusive, understanding. dual use of Hijri and Gregorian Calendars in the conduct of its business recognizing the primacy coexistence and harmony in all levels of governance.

Section 3.Definition of terms. -The following terms, as used in this Act, shall mean

a)Hijri Calendar- Muslims around the world use Islamic calendar following the Hijrah (also known as the lunar calendar) to determine the dates of religious events

moon is sighted and consists of 354 or 355 days. It consists of the following 12 and observances. It is based on 12 lunar months. A new month begins when a new

months in numerical order, such as:

2 Safar Muharram

3 Rabi Al-Awwal A Rabi Al-Thani/Rabi Al-Akhir 5. Jumada Al-Awwal Page 1

6. Jumada Al-Thani/Jumada Al-Akhirah 7.Rajab

9.Ramadhan (the month of fasting) 8. Sha'ban 11. Dhul Al-Oa'dah 10.Shawwal

12. Dhul Al-Hijjah (month of Haii

b)Gregorian Calendar- is a solar dating system used by most of the world. It is

named after Pope Gregory XIII, who issued the papal bull inter gravissimas in 1582 announcing calendar reforms for all of Catholic Christendom. It consists of 12 months, to wit:

3 January February March 4 5 April May 6 June

8 August July

9 September

12.December 10.October 11.November

c)Hijrah - means the migration of Prophet Muhammad () from Makkah to Madinah (Yathrib upon invitation in order to escape persecution.

or proprietary function, or any other units of the BARMM, as well as provincial local government units, city local government units, municipal local government units, barangay local government units, and public and private schools, including basic, higher and technical education. administrations, boards, committees, institutes, corporations whether performing governmental Section 4. Agencies Covered. - All ministries, bureaus, offices, commissions.

documents and communications such as memorandum, office order and other forms of formal Section 5. Dual Use of Calendar. - Dual use of calendar shall mean all official

correspondence shall use and allow at the same time the Hijri calendar and the Gregorian calendar with respect to the year, month and date of said communication or formal correspondence.

In writing the date of official documents, communications, and other forms of formal correspondence,the date on the Hiiri calendar shall appear first before the date on the Gregorian calendar.

Section 6. Objectives. -- This law aims to:

(a) Put into action inclusiveness in all public affairs, transactions, and develop awareness among the constituents of the Bangsamoro of the Hiiri and Gregorian Calendars

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(b) Familiarize the calendar originated from the migration of Prophet Muhammad ()

from Makkah to Madinah

(c) Fulfill equally the declaration of the Islamic Holidays;

(d Distinguish Hiiri calendar from Gregorian and other calendars

e) Promote all Muslim Holidays as stipulated in the Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1083

otherwise known as the Code on Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines;

f Think of the historical event of the Hijrah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (), from

Makkah to Madinah to escape persecution;

(g) Establish the dual use of Hijri and Gregorian Calendars within the core territory of the BARMM;and

(h Recognize and inculcate in the minds of the Bangsamoro people that the most Muhammad () from Makkah to Madina in the Month of Rabi Al-Awwal, in the 13th important migration in the glorious history of Islam was the migration of Prophet

year of the Prophetic mission.

this law with the highest degree of integrity, efficiency,responsibility and accountability Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,through the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifia'shall implement Section 7.Implementing Office.-The Office of the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro

Section 8. Powers and Functions. - The Bangsamoro Darul-Ifia' shall, in implementation of this law,have the following powers and functions:

a Promulgate fatwa (religious verdicts pertaining to the whole coverage of Islamic Jurisprudence;

b) Lead the promotion of intrareligious and interreligious dialogues for the attainment of

peaceful co-existence;

c)Serve as consultant to the Office of the Chief Minister pertaining to religious affairs:

d Collaborate and exchange information pertaining to Ramadhan moon-sighting locally and internationally specially among the nearby South East Asian Muslim Countries;

e) Perform moon-sighting every 29t day of Hijri month to accurately determine the monthly Hiiri or Lunar calendar; and

fPerform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Chief Minister.

Section 9.Budget.- For the operation and implementation of this law,the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifia'shall have an initial funding of Ten Million.Pesos (Php 10,000,000,00 which shall be sourced from any available funds of the Bangsamoro Government and every year thereafter

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shall be included in the regular budget of agency subject to usual accounting, audit rules, and regulations.

provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with, the Section 10. Repealing Clause. -- Any law or issuance, executive order, letter of

Section 1l. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or

subsisting unconstitutional, the remainder or the provisions not otherwise affected shall remain valid and

publication in a newspaper of general or regional circulation. Section 12. Effectivity Clause. -- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

APPROVED.

ATTY.ALI PANGALIAN M.BALINDONG Speaker

2021 This Act was passed by the Bangsamoro Parliament on Muharram 8,1443/August 17

PROH.RAB MNG KAI

Secretatx Tenera

APPROVED

Date: ?. 22,20 AHOD BMLAWAG EBRAHIM Chief Minister

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