Bicol to enter the global Halal market

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is out to make Bicol’s presence felt in the global Halal market, hoping to cash in on the growing consumer demand for healthier Halal products.

DTI Bicol Regional Director Dindo Nabol said that owners of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are actively driving this initiative to increase the production of Halal products and services to meet growing domestic and global demands. Nabol clarified that Halal products are not only meant for the Muslim market.

“This is a trillion-dollar industry that remains untapped until now. So sa Pilipinas pa lang, hindi masyado napapansin. Malaking malaking market, kasi ito at hindi lang ito for the Muslim market; it is for everyone. Kasi ang pinag-uusapan natin yong magandang klase ng pagkain at serbisyo,” Nabol said.

(In the Philippines, this hasn’t been widely noticed yet. It’s a huge market, and it’s not just for the Muslim community but for everyone. What we’re talking about here is high-quality food and service.)

Nabol added that Halal products underwent rigorous, humane, and careful processes and preparations following the Muslims’ philosophy that even food preparation requires kindness, compassion, and humane treatment.

“These things should be applied to how we should slaughter an animal, chicken in particular, as we prepare them for our consumption or the consumption of everyone. The process should be swift and painless regarding the animal’s dignity as much as possible,” Director Samira Gutoc from the Office of Senator Robin Padilla explained.

Halal products are free from meat and any other elements prohibited under Islamic law. They are usually healthy consumables as they promote plant-based products and utilize organic, pesticide-free vegetables and other food products.

Even the utensils and all other equipment used during the preparation of food are thoroughly cleansed based on the Muslims’ Shariah law.

“The Bicol-Halal program is not only a program of DTI. This is a concerted effort with other government agencies like the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the academe, and other partners. We just started the ball rolling, and very soon, we expect that we can certify more Halal products,” Nabol said. (LSM, PIA 5)