DTI VI awards halal certification to 20 MSMEs

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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region VI marked a milestone in the regional economy on Dec. 23, 2025, during the Region VI Halal Capacity Building cum Awarding Ceremony at the Goldberry Lite Hotel.

The ceremony honored 20 micro, small, and medium enterprises from Western Visayas that successfully complied with the Philippine National Standards for Halal.

The activity formed part of the 2025 Halal Industry Development and Promotion Project, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of local products in domestic and international markets and address the limited number of Halal-certified establishments in one of the country’s leading tourist destinations.

A key highlight of the event was the signing of the Halal Certification and Monitoring Agreement between the awardees and the Philippine Ulama Congress Organization Incorporated (PHILULAMA).

The agreement serves as a binding commitment to preserve the integrity of the Halal seal and ensure sustained compliance with national standards.

Under the agreement, the Halal certification is valid for three years, during which certified enterprises are subject to strict monitoring, including unannounced inspections and possible revocation for noncompliance.

DTI officials said the safeguards are designed to maintain consumer trust and ensure that the Halal label remains a reliable guarantee of product purity.

Obtaining Halal certification requires a comprehensive transformation of business operations and strict adherence to both Islamic law and Philippine regulatory standards.

The 20 awardees underwent intensive capacity-building activities, extensive documentation of ingredients, sanitation standard operating procedures, and plant layouts, followed by rigorous on-site audits covering production flow, waste management, and logistics.

Certification approval required the immediate correction of all noted nonconformities, underscoring that only enterprises meeting the highest standards were granted the Halal seal.

In her message, DTI Region VI OIC Regional Director Ma. Dinda R. Tamayo said the milestone reflected a shared commitment among stakeholders.

“Halal certification for these 20 MSMEs is no longer a dream for Region 6 because of the dream we all wove together,” Tamayo said.

She reminded awardees that certification carries ongoing responsibility, adding, “The certification is not the end but the start, and the responsibility continues if we fix our eyes on exploring the Halal market.”

PHILULAMA President Luqman Bin Usman Imam highlighted the global significance of Halal certification and its role in expanding market access for compliant enterprises.

The newly certified MSMEs represent a wide range of sectors, including processed food, heritage products, and pharmaceuticals.

Awardees include Sunshine’s Breadmart and Filbake Food Corporation from Aklan; Hamtic MPC and Belison MPC from Antique; Capiz Cacao Producers Cooperative, Progressive Women Agrarian Reform Cooperative, and Fergie’s Food Products from Capiz; Emhyu Food Products, Kitzsteinhorn Food Production, Kokomojo Mango Farm, NJST Fruit Farm, and McNester Food Products from Guimaras; and Iloilo-based enterprises Sunbursts Balay Tablea, Pharma Galen-X Innovations Inc., Einar’s Natural Food Export, Maridan Industries Inc., Kape Iloilo Coffee Trading, Al Di Foods Inc., Avanceña-Camiña Balay Nga Bato Inc., and Fiesta PH Bakery Products Manufacturing.

DTI Region VI said it will continue monitoring the certified enterprises through its business counselors to ensure sustained compliance with Halal standards as they represent Western Visayas in the global market.