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An assessment of Halal Program’s performance in 2018

Members of Halal Food Industry Development Program Technical Working Group (HFIDP-TWG) in CALABARZON gathered to mainly review and assess the performance of the region in terms of their programs, projects, and activities as compared with their accomplishments within the year, held on December 13 – 14, 2018 at Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort in Cavite.

The two-day activity was organized by the Regulatory Division of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV CALABARZON. Each HFIDP Coordinator of DA CALABARZON from Regulatory Division, National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) were present and reported to the body their accomplishments.

In August 2017, the HFIDP was launched in the Region as the newest banner program of DA. Orientation-seminars on Halal food production/HFIDP for local government units, DA personnel, and other relevant stakeholders in five provinces of the region were conducted from May to October, 2018. And Halal baseline data collection and profiling has been carried out since May 2018.

DA CALABARZON Regional Director Arnel V. de Mesa stressed the point that, “We respect the beliefs, rights, and customs of Muslim communities, and we need to maximize the market potentials of Halal products in the region and in the world, so let us strengthen, align, and consolidate our efforts towards a strong system.”

He, together with Assistant Regional Director for Research and Regulations Elmer T. Ferry, and Field Operations Division Officer-In-Charge Dennis R. Arpia, also reiterated the Secretary’s marching order to the DA-HFIDP, thus to better implement the program for the next few years, to wit: massive orientation, advocacy, and promotion of the DA-HFIDP; identifying the industry’s target commodities and its potential market; harmonization of Halal Program Management Office and National Organic Agriculture Program; and expediting the implementation of these programs, projects, and activities.

The 2019 work plan and financial requirements were also presented by each coordinator.

The Regional Halal Program will be under the supervision of the DA CALABARZON Operations Division starting next year. • ARC