THE Universal Islamic Center (UIC) along with Davao City Halal Industry Development Council (DCHIDC) will organize the third Annual Philippine Halal Trade and Tourism Exposition slated May 1 to 6.

The Halal Week would conduct a series of events such as Halal Media conference and Halal Food Presentation that would feature kitchen to plate halal food.

President of Universal Islamic Center, Marilou Ampuan, during a press conference Wednesday, said that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will spearhead the first Philippine Halal Conference that is also the first in Davao City.

She added that there will also be a Halal Networking headed by the DCHIDC wherein people from the tourism and trade industry would be oriented on existing Halal ordinances in the city such as the need for certification before using the Halal logo and separated Halal lane in the city's leading malls and groceries.

The Halal Networking will also allow people from the tourism and trade industry to consult with the six existing Halal certifiers accredited by DTI.

Ampuan added that there will be a showcase of Halal and Halal potential products, and tourism services in the Halal Week. It will also be an avenue for Department of Tourism (DOT) and DTI to unveil their program "making Davao as the pilot project for Muslim-friendly tourism destination."

The six-day event would combine the initiatives of the DTI and DOT. (Sean Belen, FSUU Intern)