DTI Halal Board fast-tracks formulation of IRR on Halal law

By Philippine News Agency

The Philippine Halal Export Development Board (PHEDB) is fast-tracking the formulation of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the country’s halal law.

“Right now, we are finalizing the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Halal Act. Hopefully, before the end of May the IRR can already be released,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional director Sitti Amina Jain told PNA on Friday (May 19).

The PHEDB is co-chaired by the DTI secretary and the chairperson of the Commission of Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).

The other members of PHEDB are the Mindanao Development Authority, Department of Tourism, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Department of Health, and Department of Foreign Affairs.

Jain said the board, during a recent meeting, also discussed the development of a comprehensive set of strategies and programs, targets and policies, specifically on halal promotion.

Republic Act No. 10817, otherwise known as the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act, which aims to “develop and promote halal industries as a mode of achieving equity and justice” among local farmers and producers, was enacted in May last year.

Jain said Zamboanga City is being positioned as the halal trading center with the development of the Asian Halal Center inside the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Zamboecozone).

“The Zamboecozone allocated at least 100 hectares that will be dedicated for the Asian Halal Center,” Jain said.

The center, which was established in October last year, aims to be the center of Halal industries in the Philippines and in the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Jain, who chairs the Sub-Committee on BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN Concerns of the Regional Development Council in Zamboanga City, said the establishment of the halal center is in line with the policy of the government to tap the lucrative global halal market.

“Our responsibility is to promote the economic zone by inviting foreign investors as well as encouraging local businessmen to invest in halal production and locate in the Zamboecozone,” Jain said.

She said the halal development board will initially concentrate on halal food productions and will “branch out to wellness and beauty products” later.

A series of campaign is expected to be launched for local manufacturers to certify their products as halal. Among the plan is to conduct a halal regional conference in October.

“We have already started the awareness campaign among consumers. We are encouraging SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in food processing to venture into halal production and target the local market. We are not just talking about the Muslim market in Zamboanga Peninsula but also Muslims in the neighboring island provinces who are making Zamboanga City as their grocery area,” she said.

Sara creates halal council

By

 Edge Davao

 -

April 20, 2017

Mayor Inday Sara Duterte on Monday created a council whose main function is to ensure the marketability of halal-certified Davao City products in the domestic markets and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries.

Under Executive Order No. 12, Mayor Inday formed the Davao City Halal Industry Development Council, which she chairs; and co-chaired by the President of the Mindanao Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The council’s membership also includes officials of various city offices, the Davao City Office of Muslim Affairs for Halal Shariah Concerns; the Davao City Investment and Promotion Center for Investment Concerns; and Tourism Congress of the Philippines Halal Committee for Halal Tourism.

Mayor Inday also urged national government agencies (NGA) to work together and harmonize all efforts to enhance the growth of the halal industry and help the government in coming up with a unified system for production, certification and marketing so the Philippines can maximize its huge potential in Global Halal Market.

“Halal” means “allowed” in Islam and in the Asean region, halal certified products are perceived as quality and wholesome.

Traditionally, the term ‘halal’ pertains to food but it has since been applied to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and clothing as consumers become more aware and conscious of what they eat and wear.

In her order, Mayor Inday said innovations across this value chain could be a driver for new markets and greater profits as the global halal industry is valued at trillions of dollars. CIO

Muslims care more about halal food than halal income, Malaysian Deputy Minister says by Jun Macarambon

KUALA LUMPUR — Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki lamented today that Muslims here care more about the halal status of their food, compared to the status of their source of income.

The deputy minister in charge of Islamic affairs said the public perceives Islam as only related to worship, while the issue of halal and haram — what is permissible and forbidden in Islam — is seen as only related to consumption.

“The concern over halal food and halal labels is paramount. But the similar concerns may not be true when it comes to where the money comes from to buy that halal food,” Asyraf said in his keynote address at a seminar on Islamic financial institutions and charity here.

The senator said when it comes to consuming meat, the public are very concerned about ensuring that the slaughter is Shariah compliant, but not as much as the money involved in the purchase.

“The money they received to buy that food, even if coming from usury, interest, corruption, they don’t care.

“This is something very much the reality in our society today,” said the deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

On Monday, minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom had said that the authorities will not issue halal certification for non-alcoholic “beer” or any product that uses “haram”-related names like ham or bacon.

The various kinds of ‘pretzel dogs’ sold at Auntie Anne's. The local chapter of the US pretzel chain has confirmed that it has changed the name of its ‘pretzel dog’ to ‘pretzel sausage’. ― Picture courtesy of Auntie Anne's

According to state news agency Bernama, the minister in charge of Islamic affairs said the term “halal beer” went against the manual procedure for Malaysia’s halal certification.

Under the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011, only the federal Islamic Development Department — better known by its Malay abbreviation, Jakim — and state Islamic departments and councils can issue halal certification.

The report also said that fast food chain A&W switched to calling its signature root beer drink, “RB”, in 2013, in order to get the halal certification for all its outlets.

The issue of halal certification surfaced last October after an executive with US pretzel chain Auntie Anne’s revealed that their application for halal certification had failed due to, among others, concerns over “pretzel dogs” on the menu.

Some fast food restaurants in Malaysia use non-pork alternatives for ham and bacon, such as turkey ham and beef bacon. There are also vegetarian versions of “bak kut teh”, a pork ribs soup.

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5 Killed in Kidapawan road mishap

KIDAPAWAN CITY - Five were killed while two others wounded in a vehicular accident involving a van and a motorcycle at Barangay Kidapawan City in North Cotabato early morning Sunday.

Authorities have identified the fatalities as Vince Ocumen, Ejay Campanero, Julius Saure, Napoleon Paclidore and Elton Dayudo.

Initial investigation revealed that the motorcycle went over the opposite lane as the van was approaching, causing the collision.

The van came from Cagayan de OroCity and plying the Davao Road while the motorcycle was bound for Cotabato.

Two other passengers, Delfin Querkis and Priscila Querkis, were rushed to the nearby hospital for treatment.

Police are verifying reports that the motorcycle driver was under the influence of alcohol.

Investigation on this road mishap incident ongoing. Ciudate