DAVAO CITY – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) recently convened farmers, food producers, and industry regulators to outline roadmap for food safety and halal certification.

The forum linked food producers from the Bangsamoro region directly with regulators, market experts, and certification bodies to be able to meet market standards and strengthen agribusiness competitiveness.

Almost 150 farmers and food processors received step-by-step guidance on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) licensing, product registration, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Most of the participants were from the island-provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa) as well as the Halal sector and the private sector across the Bangsamoro region.

MAFAR Minister Abunawas Maslamama acknowledged the importance of raising collective awareness on Halal and food safety certification.

“This is about strengthening BARMM’s culture of quality and paving the way for our products to access wider markets, not only across the Philippines but within the BIMP-EAGA region,” emphasized Maslamama.

During the gathering, the participants had the chance to begin the certification process, covering food safety, quality, and Halal standards, marking a first step for many toward legal market entry and greater consumer trust.

“We realized that certification is not only a requirement – it is a key to access bigger markets and make our products more trusted,” said Muslimin Salih, chairperson of the Magungaya sa Langgapanan Farmers and Fisherfolks Marketing Cooperative in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao del Sur.

The sessions, Salih added, helped them understand the steps to Halal and FDA certification.

She admitted that they see the process as too complicated. “Now we see the opportunities for our marinated dalag, carp, and tilapia and other products to reach both local and international buyers.”

Moreover, technical sessions also provided guidance on licensing, product registration, and sanitary standards.

MAFAR credited the European Union for pushing this initiative through its project “Inclusive Agribusiness Development for Human Security.”

The European Union Bangsamoro Agri-Enterprise Programme (EU-BAEP) is part of the EU’s long-term support to building lasting peace and promoting inclusive development in the Bangsamoro region.

Key agencies in the Bangsamoro region such as the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT), Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), and the Bangsamoro Business Council (BBC) were also present in the forum and underscored the need to make certification more accessible for MSME.

Pendatun Patarasa, MAFAR Director General for Fishery Services, said that Halal certification is the passport to regional and international markets.

“With the EU and UNIDO, we will support our cooperatives every step of the way to ensure they meet global standards and claim their rightful place in trade,” Patarasa added.

Mechelle Ann Lamata-Cea, Food-Drug Regulation Officer, assured that the FDA is ready to assist Bangsamoro MSMEs as they take steps toward licensing and in building a strong food safety culture in the region.

Cea said they recognize the challenges that the MSMEs face in meeting regulatory requirements.

Thus, they are working hand-in-hand with partners like UNIDO, the EU, and BARMM ministries to streamline processes, provide clearer guidance, and make certification more attainable, she added.

UNIDO has been providing technical support on certification procedures for cattle, goat, poultry, seaweed, and processed sardines to strengthen BARMM’s Halal sector and expand opportunities for local producers.