Muslim consumers, including tourists in Palawan-a premier tourism destination, find it difficult where to dine and buy Halal food.
But this island province in the western part of the country has an annual tourist arrival of roughly 1 million, including tourists from countries with predominantly Muslim population. Interestingly, Palawan is also home to more than 100,000 Muslims based on 2020 census, with southern part of this province are predominantly Muslim, tracing its history and roots as a former territory of the Sultanate of Brunei centuries ago.
Halal literally means permissible, lawful or allowed, clean, pure and safe for consumption to human body, soul and environment.
The sources of Halal food are domesticated animals like ruminants with split hooves such as cattle, sheep, goats, camels, lambs and buffaloes/ carabao. Non-predatory animals such as rabbit and deer, birds that do not use their claws to hold down food such as pigeons, sparrows, ostriches, chicken, turkeys, ducks, geese, quails, sparrows and emus are likewise considered as Halal. Aquatic animals that are not poisonous, intoxicating or hazardous to human health, and all types of plants and plant products and their derivatives that are not poisonous, intoxicating or hazardous to human health are likewise considered as Halal.
Last week, various stakeholders, such as government agencies and other organizations pushes for the establishment of Halal slaughterhouse in Puerto Princesa. Although, the establishment of such slaughterhouse has been included among the projects funded by the City Government of Puerto Princesa, it did not materialize yet.
“Ito yung pinakamalaking gap ng Halal industry sa Puerto Princesa at Palawan. Hanggang ngayon wala pa ring Halal slaughterhouse. Nag provide na ng site si Mayor (Lucilo) Bayron sa Irawan pero hindi inaprobahan ng National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS),” Said Alih K. Sha, provincial director of National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)-Palawan Field Office said.
During the said activity, Ms. Menchie H. Meneses of the City Tourism Office presented data from their office about the increasing influx of tourists in this city. Their office also committed their support for the proposed Halal slaughterhouse and they promised to inform and follow up Mayor Bayron about the matter to fast track the implementation of the project.
Various stakeholders that having a Halal slaughterhouse is key to attracting Muslim customers, especially tourists, because even if there are few Halal certified restaurants and eateries but without the slaughterhouse designed for Halal products, consumers are still doubtful.
“Kahit may Halal restaurant kung wala namang Halal slaughterhouse, nagiging doubtful pa rin ang ibang devoted and practicing Muslim. Kahit na nanggaling sa Bataraza or Brooke’s Point yung karne dapat hindi contaminated yung karne at dapat iwasan rin na mahaluan ng Haram,” Sha explained.
Palawan has one Halal certifying body, the Palawan Halal Development Council Inc. (PHDCI) a registered civil society organizations composed of professional Muslim and Halal industry player. To Halal stakeholders, this is a welcome development that enable easy access for registration of Halal products produced by food stores, restaurants, farms, food processors, business establishments based in Palawan, considering that businessmen in the past, shelled out P50,000 to P100,000 to shoulder the airfare, food, accommodation and other expenses to avail the services of Metro Manila-based Halal certifiers.
Another active Halal advocates in Palawan is the Palawan Halal Ruminants Raisers Association (PHRRA), producing Halal ruminants, such as goat, cattle, sheep for demands within the locality or even outside Palawan like Brunei Darussalam.
In 2019, the Department of Agriculture (DA) started its information caravan on the Republic Act No. 10817 or the Philippine Halal Exportation Development and Promotion Act of 2016. They also created the Halal Food Industry Development Program as part of their banner programs. They emphasized that Halal program is set to establish measures to make the industry sustainable and globally competitive.
During the stakeholder’s forum, the DA through Agriculturist II Riza Lavella, representing their Halal focal person said that they are helping existing accredited associations with at least three years that they will provide technical and financial assistance, and to access project funds that they have set aside for Halal program.
Another government agency that supported the Halal industry is the Technical Education and kills Development Authority (TESDA). Ms. Myla Pamplona of TESDA-Palawan said during the stakeholders’ forum that they offered Halal training program. She said that they started to offer Halal Awareness training course on October 2024, which they conducted 13-day to 25 trainees from tourism associations, hotel and restaurant management, farm and resort owners with P160 food and transportation allowance.
She committed that TESDA will be registering more Halal programs in Palawan.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through Ms. Catherine Dula has committed that they will help process and bring samples of food products for testing in their laboratory in Laguna. She said that they will also the one to release the results.
The prospects for Halal industry is bright for both Muslims and non-Muslims. Palawan’s business sector can significantly benefit from its opportunities due to Halal tourism. Palawan is strategically located near predominantly Muslim neighboring countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, among others.
