TO ALIGN the efforts of the City Government of Davao and the private sector with the national government’s thrust and policies for the halal industry, the city government reconstituted its Halal Industry Development Council.
The city, on October 6, 2023, issued Executive Order No. 29 Series of 2023, “An Order Reconstituting the Davao City Halal Industry Development Council, Defining its Purpose, and Functions for the Growth and Development of the Halal Industry in the City”.
According to the EO, the city mayor or his duly authorized representative shall sit as chairperson with the Mindanao Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) president as vice chairperson.
There will be three vice chairpersons: the vice chairperson for Halal Shariah Concerns – Davao Darul IFTAH representative; the vice chairperson for Investment Concerns – Davao City Investment and Promotion Center OIC, and vice chairperson for Halal Trade and Tourism, the Universal Islamic Centers.
The EO also enumerated the members from city offices, national government offices, and the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee chairs.
The technical secretariat team will be composed of the Mindanao Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the secretary, and the DCIPC Information Management Development Unit as unit head.
Section 2 defines the purpose of the council, which is to promote halal tourism, trade, and investment for the growth and development of the halal industry in the city, especially with the support of all relevant stakeholders from the government and the private sector.
Section 3 defines the functions of the council, which are as follows: initiate plans, programs, and activities that will promote halal awareness research, certification, branding, development, and marketing of halal-certified Davao products and services; align these activities to the halal programs and initiatives outlined by the national government agencies including the NCMF, DA, DOST, DOT, and DTI to maximize the potential and ensure the marketability of Davao City products in the global halal markets.
Its function is also to encourage the participation of Davao City in international events and trade exhibitions where halal-certified products and services can be promoted, such as the World Halal Tourism Summit, Gulfood, MIHAS, Food and Hotel Asia, Madrid Fusion, Expo Halal Spain, and others.; and, create active linkages and networks with government and private organizations, international trade offices, and investment promotion agencies to help generate business trade and investments in the city that will support the halal industry.
Part of its function is to Initiate the establishment of important facilities such as the Halal Science Center, Modern Halal Abattoir, and Halal Hub in Davao City; actively work with national and international halal certifying bodies for important updates on their respective Halal certification standards; assist businesses in meeting the Halal certification standards of certifying bodies; and coordinate with global Halal players and stakeholders that may help the council organize and/or participate in international Halal trainings and seminars; and, perform other tasks and functions as may be necessary.
The Council may meet at least once every quarter and hold special meetings as the need arises. The Council may also create committees in support of its plans and programs, the duties and functions of which will be determined by the members. CIO