The president of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. is hopeful that Dumaguete City and the Negros Island Region will consider adopting the halal system for Muslims in the local and regional areas.
NOCCI President Edward Du explained on Tuesday this will not only further strengthen ties with the local Muslim community but will boost trade and tourism.
The Chamber President explained that halal is a system or practice among Muslims of what is permissible or lawful in traditional Islamic law, especially relating to food and drinks.
Du said the idea surfaced during a recent meeting among Muslims and Christians and government security forces working together for peace and development in Negros Oriental.
That meeting was spearheaded by Bantay Bayanihan sa Kapayapaan-Negros Oriental led by local chair Marietta Jambora.
In that meeting, a guest speaker, Musa Mohamad Sanguila of Bantay Bayanihan sa Kapayapaan-Mindanao, said the absence of halal-certified establishments here may be one reason why Muslims from other countries do not visit the Province.
Du pointed out there is not a single halal restaurant, stall selling halal products, nor a hotel in Dumaguete City.
According to him, having a halal certification here will help bring in visitors from ASEAN Muslim countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
“I told our Muslim brothers here this is an opportunity for them to do business in the locality,” said Du. He also told the Muslim leaders present during the peace and security meeting that they can work together on it.
Musa Sanguila will bring in an expert on halal to speak about it in a forum to be scheduled later, said Du.
Du, however, admitted the proposal will have to go through a step-by-step process as there may be some opposition to the idea.
There will be consultations with stakeholders but at least the idea of halal-certification is now being considered after President Duterte and Indonesian President Widodo recently agreed on the Davao-Manado-Bitong trade route, Du stressed. (Judy Flores-Partlow)
