TheMonitorMindanaoToday.com | Forum in Iligan City promotes halal lanes, fair trade practices
By: Lou Ellen L. Antonio
ILIGAN CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Lanao del Norte and the Iligan City government convened 23 grocery store representatives in a forum to promote compliance with the city’s halal ordinance and adherence to fair trade practices.
Organized to promote halal practices in public services and businesses, the forum also seeks to raise awareness and support local enterprises. This effort aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s emphasis on halal and Islamic traditions as key factors in strengthening tourism and cultural identity.
The forum discussed City Ordinance No. 24-7458, known as the Comprehensive Halal Ordinance. This ordinance requires establishments—including groceries, supermarkets, meat shops, and convenience stores—to provide halal lanes. These lanes designate separate carts, tools, weighing scales, and checkout counters exclusively for halal-certified products to avoid cross-contamination and respect Muslim dietary laws.
DTI Lanao del Norte Provincial Director Jane Marie L. Tabucan said the goal is to position Iligan City as a model of culturally sensitive development. She pointed to the potential of halal tourism given the city’s Muslim population and its proximity to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
“Ang end goal jud ani is to look forward with Iligan City as a model of inclusivity, innovation, and sustainable development. Kay kung naa nay available nga halal products for our Muslim brothers and sisters, it will also encourage tourism sa atong mga Muslim tourists,” she said.
(The ultimate goal is to position Iligan City as a model of inclusivity, innovation, and sustainable development. If halal products are readily available for our Muslim brothers and sisters, it will also encourage tourism among Muslim visitors.)
Tabucan stressed the importance of separating halal from non-halal products to maintain food integrity, ensure safety, and respect the Muslim community.
Prior to the forum, only Robinsons Place Iligan had a halal lane. The current initiative seeks to assist more stores in complying with the ordinance.
Tabucan also said that DTI is supporting interested Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through mentoring, product development, labeling, and access to financing, as halal certification and Food and Drug Administration licensing can be costly for small businesses.
Lawyer Mohammad Salman A. Ibrahim from the City Legal Office outlined key provisions of the ordinance, particularly its implications for retailers and convenience stores. He noted that products cannot be labeled “halal” without certification from the DTI’s Philippine Accreditation Bureau.
Maria Rhodora D. Omlero of the City Government’s Permits and Licensing Division described the ordinance as a proactive measure to address the needs of Iligan’s Muslim population.
She said many business owners and staff were still unfamiliar with halal standards, and the forum clarified common misconceptions.
“With this simple initiative as a start, ma-open ang minds sa atong establishments nga it is their role to have a certain area [for halal products], through this ordinance nga atong gihimo sa syudad, nga maghimo sila og halal-friendly area in compliance sa atong city ordinance,” she added.
(With this simple initiative as a start, we hope to open the minds of our establishments that it is their role, through the ordinance created by the city, to set up a halal-friendly area in compliance with our city ordinance.)
Forum participants expressed support for the ordinance, recognizing its role in building customer trust and promoting inclusivity.
Janoding M. Pala, non-food section supervisor at Puregold Iligan, said the forum showed him the importance of separating halal products to attract more Muslim customers.
“Dako kaayo siya nga tabang. Since Puregold Iligan, daghan mi customers nga Muslims. So with that, makakuha din tayo ng maraming customers and suppliers from other sectors,” he said.
(It’s a big help. At Puregold Iligan, we have many Muslim customers. With that, we can also attract more customers and suppliers from other sectors.)
He encouraged other businesses to coordinate with DTI to better understand and implement halal-friendly practices.
In July 2024, DTI and the city government launched “Halal-Friendly Iligan City” during the Pakaradjaan Festival 2024. The launch coincided with the opening of the city’s first Halal Trade Expo and reaffirmed Iligan’s commitment to promoting the halal industry and inclusive economic growth. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
###
