KORONADAL CITY — A historic gathering marked the official unveiling of the design for the upcoming City of Koronadal Muslim Memorial Park, to be built in Purok Garfin, Barangay Paraiso. The event drew local officials, community members, and Muslim leaders in a celebration of a long-awaited dream finally set in motion.
City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (ENRO) Augustus Bretaña recounted the arduous legal process the city went through to realize the project. He highlighted the challenges involved in conducting a re-survey, relocation, and public consultation to ensure the initiative was lawfully and respectfully carried out.
OIC-Vice Mayor and Councilor Ma. Ester M. Catorce assured the community that under the leadership of City Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena and with the support of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the dream of establishing a dignified burial ground for Muslim residents is finally becoming a reality.
Councilor John Rey “Chow” Rodriguez emphasized the city’s commitment to inclusive governance, affirming that the needs of the Tri-People—Christians, Muslims, and Indigenous Peoples—are being addressed under the current administration.
Emotion filled the air as Bai Princess Riya Ayob, the land donor, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Ogena for responding to her simple but meaningful request: to provide her fellow Muslims with a proper final resting place. Uztads Abet Abubakar, a local Muslim religious leader, also shared his joy and anticipation for the construction of the memorial park.
A Step Forward Amid Legislative Gaps
The establishment of the Koronadal Muslim Memorial Park is a significant step toward recognizing the cultural and religious rights of Muslim Filipinos. However, it also sheds light on the limitations of Republic Act No. 12160, or the Philippine Islamic Burial Law, which mandates the immediate burial of deceased Muslims in accordance with Islamic customs.
While RA 12160 is a progressive measure respecting the religious practices of the Muslim community, it lacks specific provisions for ensuring access to dedicated burial sites—particularly in areas with sizable Muslim populations. This gap in the law often leaves local governments and Muslim communities to shoulder the logistical and legal burdens of securing land for cemeteries.
The initiative in Koronadal can serve as a model for other local government units across the country. It underscores the urgent need for supplemental policies or local ordinances that provide not only for the recognition of Islamic burial customs but also for the allocation and development of appropriate burial grounds.
As the Muslim Memorial Park takes shape in Koronadal, it becomes more than just a physical space—it symbolizes dignity, respect, and inclusive governance. It also serves as a reminder that true recognition of cultural and religious rights requires not only laws on paper but also concrete action on the ground.