(NI NOEL ABUEL)

IPINASA sa huli at ikatlong pagbasa ang panukalang batas na nagpapalawak sa Islamic banking system sa buong bansa na babantayan ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) at ng Monetary Board (MB).

Sa pamamagitan ng botong 20 sinang-ayunan ng mga senador ang House Bill No. 8281 o ang “An Act Providing for the Regulation and Organization of Islamic Banks”.

Sa ilalim ng nasabing panukala, bubuksan ang pintuan para sa mga foreign Islamic banks para mag-operate sa Pilipinas.

“Under this proposed measure, we will provide Islamic banking and finance a policy infrastructure that shall enable Islamic banks to organize and thereafter provide all Filipinos that economic opportunity for inclusive growth,” sabi ni Senador Francis “Chiz” Escudero, chair ng Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies at may-akda ng panukala.

“Such infrastructure shall provide regulations of organization, capitalization requirements, powers and supervision of Islamic banks. The Philippines is seen as a top source of growth in Islamic finance and now is the most opportune time that we tap on Islamic banking and finance to broaden the participation of Muslim Filipinos in nation-building,” dagdag pa nito.

Sa kasalukuyan, tanging ang Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines ang nag-iisa at tanging Islamic bank na nag-o-operate sa bansa.