THE FIRST DTI HALAL AWARENESS EVENT GAINS STRONG SUPPORT

MUNTINLUPA: The halal industry in the Philippines is now gaining more strength and market interest under the leadership of Abdulgani Macatoman, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

That was apparent in yesterday’s event at Vivere Hotel in Muntinlupa that attended by a big number of stakeholders, government officials and business communities.

DTI now serves as the accreditor of the Halal certifying companies based on RA 10817, said Macatoman. Participants asked the authority to start from home to cater to the needs of nearly 10 million Muslim Filipinos and to attract more visitors from the Muslim-world.

The multi-billion sector has been overlooked by previous administrations while global market has been busy promoting and adopting it not merely for the sake of the Muslims consumers here but also for the promising financial gain and hygiene issue.

“Halal is more than a label. It is an assurance of quality, safety, hygiene and ceanliness” said Prof. Luqman Usman Imam in his presentation “Fundamental of Halal and Basic Principle.

According to Albino M. Ganchero, DTI EMB, Assistant Division Chief, the halal market is massive in size and continue to grow annually to five trillion US dollar by 2030. He said, In the Philippines alone we have 9.3 Muslim Filipinos that needs halal services.

In her comment Nairah Moner, said: Good news for the halal consumers and exporters, an initiative of Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board chaired by the Assistant Secretary in collaboration with other government agencies, as part of establishing Ecosystem Development Program, in lifting the integrity of PH Halal Industry to the acceptable International Halal Standard.

The high profile event was hosted by the Top 1 Lungsod of Muntinlupa and represented by the Director of Muntinlupa City Muslim Affairs Office Janalodin Guiling.