MANILA – Senator Erwin Tulfo expressed support for the proposed measure seeking to establish prayer rooms in workplaces, saying it would provide safe and appropriate spaces for Filipinos of different faiths, including Muslims.

During the committee deliberations on Senator Robin Padilla’s proposed Muslim Prayer Room Act, Tulfo said he welcomed the committee report, noting that the concept of a religiously neutral prayer room caters not only to Muslim Filipinos but also to other faith communities.

“I welcome this committee report which caters not only to our Muslim brothers and sisters but to all communities of different faiths. Magandang konsepto po ang pagiging religious neutral ang ating silid panalangin,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo asked whether the proposed measure would be limited to Mindanao or if it would also apply to government offices and workplaces in Metro Manila and the Visayas, where Muslim employees also observe regular prayer times.

“As a matter of fact, Ginoong Sponsor, meron din po ako i-finile na bill na naglalayong mabigyan ng prayer break sa mga kapatid nating Muslim,” he said, noting that Muslim workers pray several times a day and may need longer break periods.

In response, Padilla said the proposed measure would have nationwide coverage and would apply to both government and private establishments.

“Buong Pilipinas po ang saklaw po nito… hindi lamang po ng mga Muslim kundi ng lahat po ng religion,” Padilla said, adding that the bill was originally filed by Senator Mark Villar before being referred to his committee.

Tulfo also raised concerns about how compliance would be monitored, particularly among private companies that may have only a small number of employees from certain faiths.

“Papano po ba ma-momonitor kaya natin kung sa kasakaling ito’y maipatupad… paano po yan natin ipapatupad ito,” Tulfo said.

Padilla said the bill includes provisions granting tax incentives to private establishments that comply with the measure, which he said could encourage businesses to provide prayer rooms even if they have only a few employees who need them.

“Meron po sila ang tax incentive… kaya win-win po ito,” Padilla said.

Tulfo later reiterated his support for the proposal, thanking Padilla and the committee for the measure.