The Department of Agriculture (DA) in collaboration with the Halal Program Management Office launched the DA-Halal Food Industry Development Program (DA-HFIDP) as one of the banner programs of the Department on April 2, 2018 at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City.
Present during the event were Atty. Ranibai Dilangalen, Undersecretary for Special Concerns and DA-HFIDP Executive Committee Chairperson, and Ret. Cmdre. Eduardo Gongona, Undersecretary for Fisheries and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Director. Agricultural stakeholders, local government units (LGUs), Halal certifying bodies, Muslim students and out-of-school youth leaders, guests and participants were also present during the launch.
With Halal development now part of the regular agenda of the Philippine government, DA is set to establish and initiate measures in pursuit of its sustainability.
DA-HFIDP is tasked to develop the Halal Industry in the Philippines and enhance the capabilities and global competitiveness of existing and potential exporters of Halal products, processes and services.
“We are very serious in boosting the Halal industry, because we believe that it has the economic advantage that will help both Muslim and non-Muslim entrepreneurs, investors, and advocates,” Usec. Dilangalen said.
The Halal economy is a stable and booming economy since 11% of the Philippine population is made up of Muslims and is even estimated to increase globally from 1.6 billion to 2.2 billion in 2030.
“And so we project an increase in the demand of Halal products worldwide,” Usec. Dilangalen added.
The national government sees great potentials for economic development in tapping the global Halal market, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol stressed thru a speech conveyed by Usec. Gongona.
Piñol, in his message, further emphasized that the worldwide demand for Halal food products is not limited among Muslims but also among non-Muslim consumers especially with the increasing awareness about its health advantages.
Instrumental to the growth of the Halal industry is the conduct of capability-building activities and the establishment of certifying bodies on food safety and Halal standards, as well as the conduct of various seminars to create awareness and consciousness among the Filipinos.
During the launch, the following Halal advocates were given recognition for their contributions in advancing and promoting the Halal industry: 1) Youth – 2nd Lt. Johnny Marohombsar III, PMA Class 2017, 2) Academe – Aisha G. Flores-Malayang, Lecturer, University of the Philippines – Institute of Islamic Studies 3) Business – Selahuddin Y. Hashim, Chairperson/CEO Moropreneur, Inc. 4) Celebrity – Robin “Abdul Aziz” Padilla, Actor/Celebrity/TV Host 5) Socio/Community Worker – Sittie Habiba D. Sarip-Paudac, Al-Hajj, Channel Manager/Operation Manager/Host of Salam V (PTV 4).
Plaques of recognition were also awarded to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cotabato City for establishing the First Halal AA Slaughter House in the Philippines; the LGU of Zamboanga City for creating the Halal Council in the City and establishing the ZamboEcozone Halal Hub (Asian Halal Center); and the LGU of Davao City as a Halal Friendly City for the issuance of Executive Order No. 12 creating the Davao City Halal Industry Development Council. ### (Maelene Examen/DA-AFID)
