NCMF Secretary Atty. Saidamen Balt Pangarungan (2nd from right) and other Filipinos in Mecca. (JADR)

Malacanang on Wednesday enjoined Muslim Filipinos to take part in the annual Hajj citing the “reformed” and “improved” services of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).

This year’s Hajj, an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims is set to start on 9 August.

“We are pleased to inform our Muslim Filipino brethren that the Office of the President, through the NCMF, has made significant strides in advancing their welfare,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

He added that the journey to Mecca this year is now more affordable as the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj has authorized a third airline carrier to transport Filipino pilgrims.

“Before, only two airlines were given landing rights by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj. This year, with the addition of a third airline, a pilgrim will enjoy savings of P11,664 up to P30,214,” stated the official.

The government’s negotiations with its Saudi Arabian counterpart to relax its two-airline policy was “unprecedented,” noted Panelo.

Filipino pilgrims will also experience more comfort as they will be billeted only in 4-star and 5-star hotels in Saudi Arabia, a “marked improvement” from “substandard accommodations” in previous years, according to the spokesman.

“Under PRRD’s leadership and with his commitment of promoting the interests of our Muslim brothers and sisters, unauthorized and corrupt add-ons on fees were likewise removed and will never burden the pilgrims from this day forward,” he added.

Six to eight thousand Muslim Filipino pilgrims are expected to take part in this year’s Hajj, a mandatory duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey.