Proposal pushes for halal food sections

CEBU, Philippines — An ordinance that mandates the selling and separation of Halal food and beverages in establishments in Cebu City is now being pushed to further harmonize the relationship with the Muslim community in the city.

This is the proposed ordinance of Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros titled the "Halal Ordinance of Cebu City". The council during its regular session last Wednesday referred the proposal to the Committee on Laws and Committee on Health for their reports and recommendations.

Once approved, this ordinance will require all business establishments to sell Halal Products or foods, and to provide exclusively separate storage and display sections.

In violation of such, the proposed ordinance will impose of ?1,000 fine or one-month imprisonment for the first offense; a ?2,000 fine or two months imprisonment for the second offense; and a ?5,000 fine or three months imprisonment and cancellation of the business permit for a third offense.

The proposal states that Cebu City is now becoming the premier destination of neighboring Muslim communities that the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos aims to expedite the preparation in creating Cebu City a top preferred Muslim-friendly destination in the country for local and foreign Muslims.

"There is a need to give the Muslim market sector in the City of Cebu the best experience yet without laying on the line their religious beliefs and practices," Hontiveros' proposal read.

Halal is one of the most important foundations of Muslim life and culture; from their birth until death, Muslims are required to comply with halal food as a necessity for their belief.

Hontiveros also said that its purpose is to establish a harmonious relationship between Christians and Muslims in Cebu City and to also to ensure that the foods they take and the products they use are spiritually "pure and clean" for consumption.

Further, once approved, this ordinance will be enforced among public markets, supermarkets, grocery stores, meat shops, and other establishments in malls, malls, centers, and those outside malls selling halal raw, processed, or cooked food, and other halal products.

It further cascades to all hotels, restaurants, fast food chains, eateries, food stalls and like establishments, school or university canteens, and other food establishments in this city serving halal.

This also applies to halal foods and beverages served on any occasion in any function hall in Cebu City, including but not limited to seminars, workshops, meetings, forums, weddings, and birthdays.

In line with this, a task force will be created to monitor compliance with this ordinance.

The Halal Task Force will be chaired by the mayor and composed of members from the City Health Officer, City Council Committee on Health, the city veterinarian, the chief of the Permits and Licensing Division, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, one business sector representative, one DTI representative, and a Muslim religious sector representative. (Cebu News)