Pasay creates office for Muslim residents' concerns

MANILA, Philippines - The Pasay City government announced yesterday the creation of a special office that will directly address concerns of the Muslim residents in the city.

Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad said the Pasay City Consultative Office of Muslim Affairs or PACCOMA, the first of its kind for a local government unit. He has signed an executive order that will facilitate the creation of PACCOMA.

Trinidad said PACCOMA will serve as a consultative and advisory body to the city government for the formulation of policies and programs for Muslims in Pasay City.

“This office will serve as a direct pipeline of the city’s Muslim community to the Mayor’s office,” he added.

Former Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari, who witnessed the signing, lauded Trinidad for initiating the move to make Muslims in the city become direct participants in the affairs of the city government. 

“This is a memorable occasion. This only shows that Pasay City is fast becoming the center of Muslim activities in Metro Manila. I hope that this office will be emulated by other cities,” Misuari said.

 Apart from Misuari, other Muslim leaders such as Hassan Dalimbang of the Office of Muslim Affairs-National Capital Region; Aleem Mahdi Batua, Islamic theologian; and Farida Lourdes Angping, principal of the Cuneta Elementary School, stood as witnesses to the signing.   – Rhodina Villanueva