Oton MSMEs Explore Halal Market Opportunities

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Local entrepreneurs and cooperatives in Oton, Iloilo moved closer to entering the global halal market as the Department of Trade and Industry Iloilo Provincial Office and the Department of Science and Technology launched a Halal Awareness Caravan in the municipality.

The event brought together food-processing micro, small, and medium enterprises supported by Negosyo Center Oton, as well as agrarian reform beneficiaries from the Oton Farmers and Producers Cooperative and the Southern Iloilo Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

The caravan aimed to raise awareness about the economic potential of halal certification and dispel common misconceptions surrounding it.

More than a religious practice, halal was presented as a comprehensive standard that upholds hygiene, ethical sourcing, and product quality.

Norjanah C. Barosa, project technical assistant II from DOST Region VI, led the session and emphasized the scientific and cultural foundations of halal and its consistency with international food safety protocols.

The joint initiative reflects the government’s commitment to empowering local enterprises through innovation and knowledge-sharing.

By guiding MSMEs toward halal compliance, DTI and DOST aim to help local products reach wider markets—both domestic and international—while strengthening Iloilo’s position in the expanding halal economy.