Inclusivity took a meaningful step forward at one of the country's busiest gateways, as Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman welcomes the commitment of Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of San Miguel Corporation Ramon S. Ang and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon to build a Muslim prayer room at the departure area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

 

“Thank you, RSA and Sec. Vince, for your openness, compassion, and support in making our airports more inclusive and respectful of all faiths. Yan ang liderato ng Bagong Pilipinas,” said Secretary Mina on social media.

 

This message of appreciation came after the Budget Secretary noticed during an early morning flight that, while the NAIA Terminal 2 arrival area offers a space for Muslim prayers, the departure area still lacks a dedicated prayer room.

 

"In a recent early morning flight, I witnessed something truly touching at the departure area of NAIA Terminal 2—I found some of our Muslim brothers and sisters quietly offering Fajr prayers. I later learned that while there’s space at the arrival area, the departure section still doesn’t have a dedicated Muslim prayer room. Upon gently raising the concern, Mr. Ramon S. Ang and Secretary Vince Dizon were quick to commit that they will be working on it," she wrote.

 

The soon-to-rise prayer room will offer a tranquil space for peace, dignity, and reflection, particularly important for the country's Muslim community, including the millions from Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), many of whom regularly travel through NAIA for work, pilgrimage, or study.

 

A proud Maranao, Secretary Pangandaman is the first Muslim woman to serve as Budget Secretary in the Philippines. She has consistently championed inclusivity and representation in government spaces, which are principles deeply rooted in her service as a co-chairperson of the Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB). Through the IGRB, she works closely with national and Bangsamoro leaders to strengthen autonomy, uphold cultural rights, and ensure meaningful development across Mindanao.

 

This initiative aligns with the values of Bagong Pilipinas under the leadership of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.—a government that is responsive, respectful, and representative of all Filipinos regardless of region or religion.

 

DBM Secretary Mina Pangandaman remains steadfast in her commitment to be a voice for Mindanao and for her Muslim brothers and sisters—ensuring that no community is left behind in the journey toward inclusive governance.

 

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Ika-20 ng Hunyo 2025

 

 

Makabuluhang naisulong ang pagiging ingklusibo sa pinaka-abalang paliparan sa bansa, sa malugod na pagtanggap ni Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman sa pangako nina San Miguel Corporation Chairman at Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang at Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon na magtayo ng Muslim prayer room sa departure area ng Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

 

“Thank you, RSA and Sec. Vince, for your openness, compassion, and support in making our airports more inclusive and respectful of all faiths. Yan ang liderato ng Bagong Pilipinas,” ayon kay Secretary Mina sa social media.

 

Ipinarating ng Kalihim ang mensahe matapos mapansin sa isa sa kanyang madaling araw na flight na, bagamat may espasyo para sa Muslim prayers sa NAIA Terminal 2 arrival area, kulang ng dedicated prayer room ang departure area.

 

"In a recent early morning flight, I witnessed something truly touching at the departure area of NAIA Terminal 2—I found some of our Muslim brothers and sisters quietly offering Fajr prayers. I later learned that while there’s space at the arrival area, the departure section still doesn’t have a dedicated Muslim prayer room. Upon gently raising the concern, Mr. Ramon S. Ang and Secretary Vince Dizon were quick to commit that they will be working on it," ayon sa kanya.

 

Ang itatatag na prayer room ay magbibigay ng tahimik na espasyo para sa kapayapaan, dignidad, at pagninilay, na partikular na mahalaga para sa Muslim community sa bansa, kabilang ang milyun-milyong mula sa Mindanao at sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), na marami sa kanila ay regular na naglalakbay sa NAIA para sa trabaho, pilgrimage, o pag-aaral.

 

Isang proud Maranao, si Secretary Pangandaman ang unang babaeng Muslim na nanungkulan bilang Budget Secretary sa Pilipinas. Patuloy niyang isinusulong ang pagiging ingklusibo at representasyon sa government spaces, mga prinsipyong malalim na nakaugat sa kanyang paglilingkod bilang co-chairperson ng Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB). Sa pamamagitan ng IGRB, malapit siyang nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga lider ng national at Bangsamoro government upang palakasin ang awtonomiya, itaguyod ang cultural rights, at tiyakin ang makabuluhang pag-unlad sa buong Mindanao.

 

Ang inisyatibang ito ay umaayon din sa mga pagpapahalaga ng Bagong Pilipinas sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.—isang gobyernong tumutugon, gumagalang, at kumakatawan sa lahat ng Pilipino anuman ang rehiyon o relihiyon.

 

Nananatiling matatag si Secretary Mina Pangandaman sa kanyang pangako na maging boses para sa Mindanao at para sa kanyang mga kapatid na Muslim – sa pamamagitan ng pagtitiyak na walang komunidad ang maiiwan sa paglalakbay tungo sa ingklusibong pamamahala.

 

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