Nearly 150 agribusinesses, government agencies, and development partners convened on October, 2025, for a forum aimed at strengthening Halal and food safety certification in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the event equipped local producers with tools and knowledge to compete in the global Halal marketplace.

MAFAR Minister Abunawas Maslamama commended the European Union (EU) and UNIDO for their support, emphasizing the collective effort to build a culture of quality and expand market reach.

“This is about nurturing BARMM’s culture of excellence and ensuring our products reach broader markets—not only across the Philippines but throughout the BIMP-EAGA region,” he said.

He encouraged local entrepreneurs to act with purpose:

“Let’s build a Bangsamoro where our products symbolize integrity, pride, and global competitiveness.”

Funded by the European Union, the initiative focuses on hands-on assistance for Halal certification. Stephan Schmitt-Degenhardt, Chief Technical Advisor of the EU-UNIDO Bangsamoro Agri-Enterprise Programme (BAEP), stressed the forum’s strategic role:

“We are positioning our Halal and seafood industries for global success. This forum connects producers with regulators and experts, turning compliance into an advantage.”

Pendatun Patarasa, MAFAR’s Director General for Fisheries Services, reaffirmed full government support:

“Certification is our passport to international markets. Together with the EU and UNIDO, we’ll ensure our cooperatives meet global standards.”

For BAEP Project Director Hamsur Zaid, certification goes beyond compliance:

“It’s not just paperwork—it’s culture, dignity, and proof that Bangsamoro can produce with excellence and integrity.”

The forum highlighted collaboration across BARMM ministries—including Trade, Science and Technology, Health, and the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta—to streamline certification and establish a trusted Bangsamoro brand worldwide.

Participants engaged in panel discussions and visited technical booths managed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and accredited Halal certifying bodies. These provided step-by-step guidance, compliance checklists, and one-on-one consultations—giving cooperatives a tangible roadmap toward certification.

For participants like Gina Zorayda Tiamwatt from Tawi-Tawi, the event was an eye-opener:

“We learned that certification requires education, awareness, and continuous capacity building,” she said.

Badria Biang, president of the Adzal Cooperative in Maguindanao del Norte, echoed the sentiment:

“We are more than 100 mothers producing chicken sakurab and shrimp paste. Certification is not just a label—it’s dignity and a stronger future for our children.”

The forum, a key part of the EU-Bangsamoro Agri-Enterprise Programme (EU-BAEP), reaffirms the EU’s enduring commitment to inclusive growth and peace in the region.

With UNIDO’s global expertise and BARMM’s proactive approach, the region is not only preparing for the future—it is actively building it, one certified enterprise at a time.

Original Article:

Bureau of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. (2025, October 25). 150 agri-businesses join BARMM-UNIDO drive for halal certification & global market access. Retrieved from https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/150-agri-businesses-join-barmm-unido-drive-for-halal-certification-global-market-access/