Makati City – The
Department of Science
and Technology (DOST)
officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement
with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos
(NCMF) today to facilitate
more research methods
and advanced technology
inputs that will enhance
the production and competitiveness of the HALAL
industry in the country.
This Memorandum of Agreement provides a comprehensive
framework that outlines
the duties of the DOST
HVLs in carrying out stringent testing procedures to
identify prohibited components in halal products
and uphold their integrity.
This also gives the NCMF
the authority to propose
and recommend policies
pertaining to market surveillance and the requirement of halal testing in the
certification and recertification procedures for halal
products.
Through this
signing, DOST aims to collaborate with the NCMF to
support the promotion of
the Philippine Halal Industry and to enhance market
surveillance by utilizing
advanced testing methods
at the DOST HVLs in Region IV-A, Davao Region,
Region XII, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(BARMM).
In support of the
development and promotion of the Philippine Halal Industry, DOST, being
a member agency of the
Philippine Halal Export
Development and Promotion Board (PHEDPB), ensures that its STI initiatives
align with the objective of
making Philippine halal
products more competitive
through research and development (R&D), quality
assurance measures, value-adding mechanisms,
and human resource development, among others.
These initiatives are well crafted
and planned based on
the DOST Halal Roadmap developed by DOST
PCIEERD for the years
2022–2028. DOST has
implemented two (2) programs in support of the
development of the Philippine Halal economy since
2018, namely: the DOST
Halal Science and Technology (S&T) Program
and the DOST Halal Research Ecosystem for Development and Innovation
(ReDI) Program to Support the Philippine Tourism
Industry.
In the previous
years, DOST has initiated
various initiatives, including the establishment of
halal verification laboratories. DOST is behind the
Philippine National Halal
Laboratory and Science
Center. These laboratories
will help ensure that the
products sold in the market are properly analyzed
and are compliant with
halal standards not only in
the Philippines but also in
the global halal market.
DOST Secretary
Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr.
highlighted in his message
the importance of collaboration and opportunities to
help maintain the quality
and versatility of the Halal
industry, which will benefit
the country.
“These initiatives
of DOST and other partners are among our ways
to help achieve a strong
and dynamic workforce for
the country’s inclusive and
sustainable growth. In upskilling the workforce, our
government cannot carry
on the work independently. We need a whole-ofnation approach—with
government, academe,
businesses, and civil society working together.”
Sec. Solidum said this in
his message.
One of the most
important responsibilities
of the agency as halal
food manufacturers, food
researchers, and food
handlers is to maintain
the halal integrity of the
products. DOST and other
partner agencies will help
eliminate the risk of haram
and other hazards through
HAS so that the products
that we produce are guaranteed to be halal, safe,
of high quality, and wholesome.
“This gathering
provides us with an excellent narrative of our forefront position in the global
halal economy. With this
great opportunity given to
us on our table, we are
furthering our initiatives
to facilitate more research
methods and advance
our technologies that will
enhance the production
of competitive and compatible HALAL products
with the needs of Muslim
and non-Muslim Filipinos.”
DOST Undersecretary for
Regional Operations Engr.
Sancho A. Mabborang emphasized this in his message.
Moreover, DOST
was able to assist various
Micro, Small, and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs) in
the Philippines by acquiring their halal certification.
The certificate is a seal that
guarantees that their product complies with the Islamic dietary requirements
or Islamic lifestyle, which
stands for compliance with
quality, cleanliness, and
health standards. Being
halal-certified firms will
open opportunities for the
export and trade of halal
products, which will further
uplift the Philippine food
and halal food industries.
The said activity was also attended by
DOST Undersecretary for
Scientific and Technical
Services, Ms. Maridon
Sahagun, DOST Undersecretary Teodoro M.
Gatchalian, DOST XI Regional Director Dr. Anthony C. Sales, and NCMF
Secretary Atty. Guiling A.
Mamondiong, DOST-CALABARZON Regional Director, Ms. Emelita P. Bagsit, Representative of the
Lone District of Basilan
Hon. Mujiv S. Hataman,
and directors and representatives from DOST
ROs and attached agencies.
