A TOTAL of 12 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the provinces of Pampanga and Tarlac received their Halal certification from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Halal is an assurance of quality, safety, hygiene and cleanliness. It also demands services with safe, wholesome and hygienic properties similar to food safety objectives.
“DOST launched its S&T Program to fulfill its commitment on the implementation and promotion of Halal programs in order to boost the development of the Halal industry in the Philippines,” DOST regional director Julius Caesar Sicat said.
Newly certified MSMEs include Mica by the Sea Company, Potter’s Hand Processed Food, TGA Foods Corporation, Upventures Corporation (Eat Special), Aiza’s Sweets, Emy’s Sweets and Pastries, Bea’s Homemade Peanut Butter, Urdu Restaurant and Bakeshop, RP Corpus Sales Enterprises, JSJ Goat Farm, and JEGEN SWE Enterprises.
These entrepreneurs were compliant to the Halal standards in terms of sourcing raw materials, preparation and packaging of their products.
Also, packaging of Agro-based and herbal products, processing of goat milk, feeding management of live goat or no blood meal, and slaughtering procedures.
“These were duly certified by the Muslim Mindanao Halal Certification Board after the conduct of thorough inspection, evaluation, and scrutiny in accordance with Islamic Laws and Guidelines of the board,” he added.
DOST continuously helps MSMEs on their concerns on products, process and productivity improvement through its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program or SETUP.
It is a member of the Halal Board as stated in Section 7 of Republic Act 10817 or the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2016. (PIA-Central Luzon)