DOST seeks more budget for Halal lab

FILE: “The Philippines should gain advantage of its huge potential on Halal tourism, services, among others,” said DOST-12 Director Zenaida Hadji Raof Laidan. (Shutterstock photo)

MANILA — The Department of Science and Technology Region 12 (DOST-12) plans to allocate an additional budget for the region’s Halal laboratory as officials remain optimistic about the institutionalization of the Philippine National Halal Laboratory and Science Center.

“The Philippines should gain advantage of its huge potential on Halal tourism, services, among others,” said DOST-12 Director Zenaida Hadji Raof Laidan.

DOST-12 organized the World Halal Assembly last week at the Sofitel Hotel in Manila.

The event, which carried the theme, “Developing Halal Premium Brand through Science, Technology” served as an avenue for experts, entrepreneurs, academe, government, and consumers to discuss views on the Halal industry.

At the end of the assembly, Laidan acknowledged the need to strengthen engagements and dialogues to raise support and awareness in promoting the Halal premium brand.

She earlier said it is the DOST’s goal to level up the Halal food and pharmaceutical industry in the country.

Apart from the inauguration of the country’s first Halal Food Innovation Center in Region 12 next month, Laidan also said that the agency envisions the country to become the leading country in the ASEAN region when it comes to Halal by 2022.

“We want to brand the Philippines as a Halal hub in the region since Halal is a global commodity,” she told the Philippine News Agency on the first day of the World Halal Assembly.

She added that the DOST wants the Philippines to be a one-stop shop for Halal.

Apart from more budget allocation for the Halal laboratory and the institutionalization of a national halal center, Laidan and the other experts came up with the following resolutions during the assembly:

• Create common platform for Halal partnerships and linkages

• Establishment of a Fatwa (a legal opinion or decree handed down by an Islamic religious leader) in view of the significant role of Islamic scholars in determining the Halalness of products in collaboration with a credible institution

• Recognizing Halal as a religious obligation and concept that needs to be spearheaded by Muslim experts noting Halal integrity

• Strengthen promotion of Halal concepts and principles

• Encourage the adoption of the Unified Global Halal Standards of SMIIC (Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries)

• Incorporate peace and security as integral part of Halal

• Encourage manufacturing companies to patronage organic Halal raw materials as safe choice for consumers

Meanwhile, Laidan has also called on researchers to submit proposals or Halal researches to her office for possible funding.

According to DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Pena, the agency was mandated to improve and expand the number of Halal products and services through scientific knowledge. (PNA)