JAKARTA – More than 150 locally produced items in Western Visayas have successfully met stringent halal certification standards, significantly enhancing their market competitiveness both domestically and internationally while addressing the shortage of halal-certified establishments in the region’s tourism destinations.

Twenty MSMEs Receive Halal Certification

The Department of Trade and Industry in Western Visayas (DTI-6) announced on Tuesday that 20 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been awarded the halal seal after successfully completing the demanding requirements of the Philippine National Standards for Halal. The certified businesses produce a diverse range of products including processed foods, traditional heritage delicacies, and innovative pharmaceutical items.

Certified Enterprises Across the Region

The newly halal-certified establishments represent various provinces throughout Western Visayas:

Aklan:

• Sunshine’s Breadmart
• Filbake Food Corporation

Antique:

• Hamtic MPC
• Belison MPC

Capiz:

• Capiz Cacao Producer’s Cooperative
• Progressive Women Agrarian Reform Cooperative
• Fergie’s Food Products

Guimaras:

• Emhyu Food Products
• Kitzsteinhorn Food Production
• Kokomojo Mango Farm
• NJST Fruit Farm
• McNester Food Products

Iloilo:

• 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.
• Fiesta PH Bakery Products Manufacturing

Three-Year Validity with Strict Monitoring

According to DTI-6, the halal certification remains valid for three years, during which certified businesses must comply with rigorous monitoring protocols to maintain their certification status.

The certification process culminated last month with the formal signing of the Halal Certification and Monitoring Agreement (HCMA) between the MSMEs and the Philippine Ulama Congress Organization Incorporated (PHILULAMA).

This agreement authorizes the certifying body to conduct surprise inspections and revoke certifications if standards are not maintained, ensuring that the “Halal” designation continues to serve as a reliable guarantee of product purity for consumers.

“DTI-6 will continue monitoring these enterprises through local Business Counselors to ensure they maintain these world-class standards as they represent Western Visayas’ finest offerings on the global stage,” the department stated.

Tapping into the Global Halal Market

The certification initiative began in 2024 when DTI organized a regional orientation session for MSMEs, introducing them to the expansive global halal market, which is projected to reach USD 4 trillion by 2028.

This milestone represents a significant opportunity for Western Visayas businesses to access lucrative international markets while serving the growing domestic demand for halal-certified products, particularly in tourism areas where such establishments have been scarce.

Economic Impact and Tourism Development

The halal certification of these local products not only opens doors to Muslim consumers worldwide but also strengthens the region’s tourism infrastructure by providing more options for Muslim visitors seeking halal-certified food and products.

The achievement demonstrates Western Visayas’ commitment to inclusive economic development and its readiness to compete in the global halal economy while preserving the authenticity and quality of local products.

Original Article:

Philippine News Agency. (2026, January 11). Over 150 local products in W. Visayas pass halal standard.  Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1266291