President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially signed into law a measure ensuring the swift burial of Filipino Muslims in accordance with Islamic traditions, according to local media reports from last week.

The newly enacted Philippine Islamic Burial Act mandates that Muslim burials take place as soon as possible—even before a death certificate is issued—to respect religious practices.

Under the law, the person who performed the burial rites or the deceased’s next of kin must report the death to the local health officer within 14 days. The health official is then responsible for determining the cause of death and issuing the corresponding death certificate.

The legislation also compels hospitals, clinics, funeral homes, morgues, custodial institutions, or any individual in possession of the body to release it within 24 hours to facilitate timely burial.