DTI relaunches halal slaughterhouse

MANILA, Philippines — As part of the government’s effort to develop the country’s halal industry, the Department of Trade and Industry relaunched the halal-ready slaughterhouse in Tanauan City in Batangas.

“This relaunching marks a significant leap forward in our goal of reinforcing halal infrastructure in Calabarzon. Through the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board and the Special Task Force created to grow the industry, we will ensure the development of the halal industry and enhance the halal economy within the country,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said.

The Tanauan slaughterhouse received a joint funding from the DTI through the Shared Service Facility (SSF) program, in partnership with the Tanauan local government unit.

Pascual said the relaunching is part of the DTI’s goal and mandate to develop and promote the halal industry to position the Philippines as the most halal-friendly trade and investment hub in Asia-Pacific.

“We are eyeing a bigger share of the $7-trillion global halal market. The scope is vast, from halal food, pharmaceuticals, halal friendly tourism, and Islamic finance to modest fashion and halal cosmetics. Halal is for everyone, as halal food is healthy and hygienic,” said Pascual, who also chairs the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotions Board.

Tanauan Mayor Nelson Collantes recognized the significance of the slaughterhouse in boosting the local government’s business environment and its potential to create employment opportunities within the constituency. He also expressed his commitment to the advancement and promotion of their local halal industry within the region.

On the sidelines of the relaunch, a halal awareness seminar at Tanauan Institute was also conducted, empowering local stakeholders and propelling the Philippines into the global halal arena.

Through this seminar, participants gained knowledge and tools to actively champion the halal industry, complemented by halal-certified products live presentations, according to the DTI.

The seminar was a part of the halal training and stakeholders consultation, which aims to empower MSMEs and cooperatives through engaging workshops, informative sessions, and collaborative discussions.

In addition, it also focused on crafting a comprehensive roadmap for the halal industry in Calabarzon, a crucial step in positioning Philippine halal enterprises on the global economic stage.

The strategic plan is focused on global competitiveness, digitization, and inclusivity, including the establishment of the Regional Halal Coordinating Council (RHCC).

The presented plan also encompasses initiatives for capacity building, job creation, Islamic finance and investment, food security, tourism and export opportunities.

Moreover, Pascual emphasized the critical role of partnerships in maximizing the potential of the Philippine halal industry.

“Our collective endeavors will amplify our market intelligence and bolster our branding efforts, particularly in promoting trade and investments. Through our whole-of-government approach, I am very optimistic that we could achieve our overarching objective of P230 billion in halal trade and investments and over 120,000 job opportunities in the next five years,” he said.

In October, the DTI announced the nine-government inter-agency taskforce that would create a roadmap, which will position the Philippines as the most Halal-friendly trade and investment hub in Asia-Pacific.