Mindanaotoday.com | Groups magnify campaign for halal industry in Lanao Sur
By: Claire Gigje
MARAWI CITY – Development and humanitarian organizations Raheemah Peace Weavers Producer Cooperative and the Save the Children Philippines have banded together to step up their campaign for a sustainable halal industry in the province of Lanao del Sur.
Amid the week-long commemoration of the 5th anniversary of the liberation of the city here, the two organizations hosted the Global Halal Forum Tuesday, October 18, wherein Malaysian experts were invited to personally share their journeys and experiences during the establishment of the halal industry in their country.
Raheemah Peace Weavers Producer Cooperative Executive Director and Founder Sittie Aishah Baicon Cayongcat Nuska underscored that they primarily began their advocacy with Malaysian guests as she stated that they are globally recognized to be at the forefront of halal promotion.
“They have the quality standard in terms of halal certification. They are very strict on halal auditing at ang namumuno talaga sa kanilang [the leaders of their] halal certification is no less than their government,” she said.
With the well-graced event, Nusca shared that the visitors did not only present their products and tales but they likewise committed to back the local producers here to alleviate their economic status.
She bared that as part of the support, they look forward to spearheading training on halal industry development alongside the Islamic Banking and Financial System Forum.
Nusca added that they also sealed an agreement with the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education-Technical Education and Skills Development (MBHTE-TESD) that intended to elevate the quality assurance of halal products of the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) while making them compliant with the business permits, and ensure the marketing of their products.
Among the agreed agenda was to gather relevant materials for halal promotion, improvement of the quality standard of halal production within the Bangsamoro region, and formalization of their respective organizations.
Highlighting their ongoing and coming efforts, Nusca was optimistic that they would achieve what they desired, especially with their strong partnership with the government that has promulgated relevant policies and laws, and established line agencies overseeing this matter such as the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
“The government is here, helping us, and the Raheemah and Save the Children are with in pushing the] government to ensure that halal is not only being promoted in this part of the country but also established by the halal industry,” she said. (CRG | PIA-10 | Lanao del Sur)
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