Over 150 local products in Western Visayas have passed the stringent halal standard, boosting their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets, as well as in addressing the scarcity of halal-certified establishments in tourist destinations in the region.

A halal seal was conferred to 20 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) producing processed food, heritage treats, and innovative pharmaceuticals after going through the rigorous process of the Philippine National Standards for Halal, the Department of Trade and Industry in Western Visayas (DTI-6), said in a statement.

The certified establishments included Sunshine’s Breadmart and Filbake Food Corporation from Aklan; Hamtic MPC and Belison MPC from Antique; Capiz Cacao Producer’s Cooperative, Progressive Women Agrarian Reform Cooperative, and Fergie’s Food Products from Capiz; and Emhyu Food Products, Kitzsteinhorn Food Production, Kokomojo Mango Farm, NJST Fruit Farm, and McNester Food Products from Guimaras.

Also certified were Sunbursts Balay Tablea, Pharma Galen-X Innovations, Inc., Einar’s Natural Food Export, Maridan Industries, Inc., Kape Iloilo Coffee Trading, Al Di Foods, Inc., Avanceña-Camiña Balay Nga Bato, Inc., and Fiesta PH Bakery Products Manufacturing from Iloilo.

“The certification is valid for three years, during which time the businesses must adhere to strict monitoring protocols,” the DTI said.

Along with the conferment last month was the formal signing of the Halal Certification and Monitoring Agreement (HCMA) between the MSMEs and the Philippine Ulama Congress Organization Incorporated (PHILULAMA).

The agreement grants the certifying body the right to conduct unannounced inspections and revoke certificates if standards are not maintained, ensuring that the “Halal” label remains a trusted guarantee of purity for consumers.

“DTI-6 will continue to monitor these enterprises through local Business Counselors to ensure they uphold these world-class standards as they represent the best of Western Visayas on the global stage,” it said.

The journey to obtaining the halal certification started in 2024 when DTI gathered MSMEs for a regional orientation and introduced them to the global halal market, projected to reach USD4 trillion by 2028.PNA