Stressing her solidarity with the Muslim community members in Manila as they observe their Holy Month of Ramadan, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna announced that Moh’d Yamen Datu Zacaria is the officially designated Officer-In-Charge of the city’s Office of Muslim Affairs.

In a statement, the lady mayor also warned the public against falling prey to those formerly connected to the office who are now using it for soliciting.

“This is to inform the public that the Manila Muslim Affairs Office is now headed by Moh’d Yamen Datu Zacaria. With this, all transactions with the previous officer-in-charge after 30 June 2024, are not connected with the city government of Manila,” Lacuna said.

She also disclosed that the “Office of the Mayor- Manila Muslim Affairs” Facebook page is not an authorized account representing the office.

The mayor assured the Muslim community members in Manila that, through Zacaria, her administration will be open to all suggestions and inputs on how to make the city a welcoming and open capital city to its peace-loving residents and visitors of the Islamic faith.

Lacuna added that Zacaria had been tasked to coordinate with local Muslim leaders on how best to celebrate Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha, as well as the other significant Muslim occasions in the city.

“In this regard, I would like to clarify that the previous Muslim Affairs OIC has not been connected with the City of Manila since 30 June 2024. Any transactions made with the previous OIC after her contract was not renewed are not in any way connected with the city government. We advise the public to beware of unauthorized Facebook pages claiming to represent the Office of Muslim Affairs,” the mayor said.

“Moving forward, we will continue to consult with the local Muslim community on how to better serve their needs. Through our district congressmen, we are planning to eventually have more Shariah courts in Manila,” she added.

Lacuna also assured that the city government aims to expand the availability of halal products in Manila to meet the growing demand for halal food in Metro Manila.

“It will not only serve our Muslim residents and visitors but also create more job opportunities for Filipino Muslims,” Lacuna said.