PHL Halal industry to gain traction through Halal lab
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) talked about the huge potential economic gains from Halal products if the government can sustain its support to this niche industry as there is a big demand for several Halal products in the global market at the present. This was revealed in the latest episode of “Siyensikat Popular Science Para sa Lahat,” a program produced by DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute and aired over at CNN Philippines.
During its second episode aired last October 9, 2021, the program featured the Halal Verification Laboratory (HVL) and its products and services spearheaded by the DOST Regional Office XI, in partnership with DOST Regional Office IV-A and DOST- Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI).
According to Wisher Farah Ainie Hadjie, a Muslim chef and restaurateur from Tawi-Tawi expressed her dream of building customer trust and loyalty by serving healthy and halal-certified food and products in her restaurant. To address this, DOST offered the services and innovative solutions offered by HVL.
DOST-HVL is under the DOST Halal S&T Program that was established to support the implementation of Republic Act 10817 also known as the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2016.The act recognizes the Halal industries role and contributions to the economic development and seeks to promote the integrity and quality of Philippine Halal exports.
“We want to develop the local halal industry and halal export industry,” explained DOST XI Regional Director Anthony Sales on the potential of halal products in the local and international market. “It is important to develop the halal ecosystem to complete the services needed by the halal industry. We need halal verification laboratories, to ensure that the products we sell in the market are properly analyzed and are compliant with halal standards not only in the Philippines but also in the global halal market.”
Dr. Sales believes that the Davao Region is significant in the development of halal industry in the Philippines as it serves as the gateway for trade in the country.
Meanwhile, DOST Regional Office IV-A Regional Standards and Testing Laboratories Head Agnes G. Morales highlighted the difference between the verification and certification processes. Likewise, DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute’s Standards and Testing Division Chief and Scientist I Dr. Rosalinda C. Torres also shared the different halal cosmetic products that are manufactured in their laboratory which includes halal whitening toothpaste, halal whitening and moisturizing soap, halal clear shampoo, silk/pearl-like shampoo, bar shampoo, moisturizing lipstick, and lip balm that cater to the Muslim demographics.
Dr. Sales added that with the different products and services offered, DOST can target to enter the Philippines’ neighboring markets in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Middle East, and Thailand. With 500,000 tourist arrivals, these could have significant contribution to the halal industry of the Philippines.
Siyensikat airs every Saturday and Sunday at 8AM and 4PM respectively on CNN Philippines. Click on the link to view and watch the Siyensikat Halal episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3C_YLhkp7s&t=3s. DOST XI S&T Information and Promotion
