The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., has enacted a law that facilitates the appropriate and prompt burial of deceased Muslims in accordance with their customs.
Republic Act 12160, titled “An Act Mandating the Appropriate and Immediate Burial of Muslim Remains in Alignment with the Islamic Practices,” was enacted on April 11 and published on the Official Gazette’s website late Monday.
This legislation stipulates that Muslim burial ceremonies must take place as swiftly as possible, even without a death certificate present.
The next of kin or the individual who conducted the burial rites is required to report the death to the local health officer within 14 days, who will subsequently issue the death certificate and ascertain the cause of death.
If there are no immediate family members available, the notification of death will be directed to the Office of the Mayor, who will issue a death certificate and verify the cause of death.
“For burial purposes, in alignment with Islamic practices, Muslim remains shall be released within 24 hours by hospitals, medical clinics, funeral homes, morgues, custodial facilities, or other similar institutions, or individuals who have actual care or custody of the remains,” the legislation specifies.
It further states that the corpse must be encased in white cloth and placed in an airtight, leak-proof bag or wooden container. It should be sealed using zippers, tape, or binding strips.
Those who deny the release of a Muslim body due to unpaid hospital bills, medical costs, professional fees, wrapping expenses, or any other charges could face imprisonment for up to six months, fines ranging from P50,000 to P100,000, or both. The bereaved family may be permitted to sign a promissory note instead.
Additionally, the law instructs the Department of Health and the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos to “formulate the necessary rules and regulations for the efficient execution of this Act” within 120 days of its enactment. — Adrian H. Halili
