Former Combatants Prepare for Hajj Pilgrimage with Comprehensive Support
A significant group of 451 former combatants is gearing up to participate in the Bangsamoro Government's Manasikul Hajj Program this May, with extensive preparations underway through health and orientation support initiatives. The program, led by the Bangsamoro Pilgrimage Authority (BPA), aims to provide subsidized or free Hajj pilgrimages to Mecca for constituents, including those who have laid down arms.
Health Preparations and Vaccination Drive
Dr. Norodin Salam, BPA deputy executive director, detailed that beneficiaries received vaccination support from April 13 to 15 at the Shariff Kabunsian Cultural Complex in Cotabato City. This effort was part of a Regional Mobile Vaccination rollout spearheaded by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)–Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Cotabato City Health Office.
Salam emphasized that vaccination is integral to a pilgrim's spiritual intention, serving both religious and health purposes. The drive is part of a broader campaign to inoculate 1,091 pilgrims from Soccsksargen and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), ensuring compliance with health requirements mandated by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Challenges and Significance of the Program
Dr. Tamara Mae Ansama, Medical Officer of the NCMF–Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment, noted that the 451 Bangsamoro former combatant pilgrims constitute approximately nine percent of the total Filipino pilgrims for Hajj 2026, scheduled from May 25 to 29, subject to moon sighting. "One of the major challenges in implementing this program is the digital issuance of the International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV), as required by the Bureau of Quarantine," Ansama stated.
Meanwhile, Mabandas Kabagani Macacua, a 63-year-old resident of Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay, expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to perform Hajj, acknowledging that he would not have been able to afford the journey independently. This sentiment highlights the program's impact on individuals who have transitioned from conflict to peace.
Comprehensive Orientation and Support
The NCMF conducted a Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar and coordinated with partner agencies, including the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Ministry of Health, to ensure pilgrims are well-prepared. These agencies also provided travel and post-vaccination kits to support the pilgrims' well-being throughout their journey.
This initiative underscores the Bangsamoro Government's commitment to reintegrating former combatants into society through spiritual and health-focused programs, fostering reconciliation and community building in the region.
