The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bicol is urging micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to secure Halal certification as part of a broader campaign to make the Philippines more Halal-friendly.

For 53-year-old Ali, who has lived in Naga City for years, finding legitimate Halal-certified food has always been a challenge.

He frequently inquires about the ingredients and cooking methods in local eateries to ensure the food complies with Islamic dietary laws.

“‘Yung unang tinatanong namin, ‘yung niluluto. Ano ba ‘yan, may nilulutong iba? Kasi kapag, halimbawa, nilulutuan ng manok tapos may ibang hinahalo na niluluto, bawal na kami dun,” Ali said.

One of the few known providers of Halal food in Naga City is an eatery owned by Asuncion San Joaquin. Operating for 25 years at the Naga City People’s Mall, the eatery is known for serving Halal-friendly meals.

“Puro lang chicken, saka sira, gulay. Ang ibang kakanan, may mga bawal na dae man sinda pwede,” San Joaquin said.

Halal, an Arabic term meaning "clean" or "permissible," refers to food and products allowed under Islamic dietary laws. 

Despite the demand, DTI Bicol admits that finding legitimate Halal establishments in the region remains difficult.

“Pero mahirap din iyon kasi hindi natin alam kung saan iyon [at] kung paano ang pag-prepare nun. Baka nahalo din iyon sa baboy sa pagluluto. So, iyon ang kina-campaign natin for our local establishments to already practice halal,” Dindo Nabol, Regional Director of DTI Bicol, said.

In response, DTI Bicol launched its Halal-Friendly Initiative on August 7, 2024 aiming to double the production of Halal-certified products and services to meet both domestic and global market demands.

“Ang halal industry ay malaking tulong sa atin. Sapagkat kapag nagkaroon tayo ng certified halal ay pwede tayong mag-export ng raw materials like cattle, goat, [at] ano mang halal sa ibang bansa… at yan ang paraan na pwedeng mabuhay ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas,” Sultan Amin Hassan, President of the Bicol Region Muslim Community, said.

Additionally, DTI Bicol hosted a workshop to develop an effective Bicol Halal Roadmap, gathering around 50 stakeholders from various sectors across the region.

This initiative is seen as a crucial step in positioning the Philippines as a key player in the global Halal market.