CEBU CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA-7), the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos-Visayas (NCMF-Visayas) and the Regional Halal Agriculture Fishery and Advisory Council (RHAFAC) wants to strengthen the advocacy and implementation of Halal in Central Visayas.
DA-7 Regional Technical Director Joel Elumba said Halal is a new banner program of the agency which was implemented in 2018 and that there is a need to develop and promote the Halal industry, especially in Cebu Province. The DA team conducted an orientation on Halal accreditation, protocols, and standards in November this year.
Halal is an Arabic word which means permitted, lawful, legal, or acceptable and is free from impurities and allowed for consumption in accordance with Islamic Law.
According to Mayolyn Majaducon, DA-7 regional halal focal person, Central Visayas had already collaborated and advocated the Halal program in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negors Oriental, and Siquijor and promoted the establishment of Halal farms to cater to the needs of Halal consumers.
"We have already tapped some farmers' groups and cooperatives for the production of Halal farm produce to include the Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative (LMPC) in Lamac, Pinamungahan, Cebu; the Malambuon Farmers Association, Biasong Association, and Guila Guila Patag in Cebu City," Majaducon said.
Cadar Menor of the Peace Building Conflict Resolution, resource person during the orientation, urged the concerned agencies to raise the level on Halal consciousness and to stimulate understanding about Halal by non-Muslims.