As part of Muntinlupa’s efforts to become the Halal center of Metro Manila, the city government and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have conducted an awareness seminar on the fundamentals of Halal trade at the Vivere Hotel in Alabang.
Members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Muntinlupa, other business organizations, local stakeholders and the Muslim community attended the symposium about the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 10817, or the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi led the event, along with Rep. Ruffy Biazon, TradeAssistant Secretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman and other local leaders.
Due to its strategic location and continuous support to the Muslim community, Muntinlupa is positioning itself as the region’s center for the trading of goods such as food, medicines, clothing and services that are permissible according to Islamic law.
“In Muntinlupa, we welcome diversity, and it is with this factor that makes the city a preferred business destination and a place to live in. It is also with this thrust—partnering with different sectors—that the local government heralds inclusive development,” Fresnedi told the BusinessMirror.
Macatoman earlier said that making Muntinlupa Halal-ready will open opportunities for the city and the entire region to attract local and foreign investors in the export of halal products and services.
Signed into law by former President Benigno S. Aquino III in May 2016, RA 10817 seeks to establish a comprehensive program for the development and promotion of Halal exports.
The Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Program is formulated to cover the whole value chain for food, products and services, agricultural production, manufacturing, export and marketing assistance and application of Halal-certification standards.
Acting as the policy-making body on Halal export development, the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board, chaired by Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, creates the overall direction for the implementation of the program.
In August, the BusinessMirror reported that the Philippines is ready to participate in the $3.2-trillion global halal market, following the adoption on July 26 of the implementing rules and regulations of RA 10817 by the halal board .
The DTI aims to make the Philippines an active player in the regional and global halal markets.
A national strategic planning for Philippine Halal 2022 will engage regional and national government agencies, Muslim religious leaders, the private sector and consumers.
High on its agenda is the unification of current government projects and programs for the halal industry.