Alfredo Pascual, the Secretary of Trade, has unveiled a strategic endeavor aimed at propelling the global halal industry into Marawi City, thereby generating a range of business opportunities for Maranaos. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has joined hands with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to initiate a collaborative effort that will breathe new life into Marawi’s halal sector.
This collaborative initiative has been strategically positioned to provide crucial support to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These enterprises are envisaged to play a pivotal role in reinvigorating the local economy and fostering a sustainable trajectory of progress for the city, which is still on the path to recovery, six years after the devastating Marawi siege.
Halal, rooted in religious principles, encompasses a range of dietary guidelines. It denotes products, commodities, and behaviors that adhere to Islamic regulations.
In a significant move, Alfredo Pascual, the Trade Secretary, and Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, the Chief Minister of BARMM, have formalized their commitment through a memorandum of agreement signed on August 10 in Davao City. This agreement is geared toward cultivating Marawi’s halal industry and fortifying the tourism sector. To kickstart the endeavor, the government is allocating an initial budget of P26 million.
The program is scheduled for implementation from August 2023 through July 2024. This strategic partnership between DTI and BARMM is poised to pave the way for the resurgence of Marawi’s halal sector, thereby fostering economic growth and promoting a sustainable trajectory of development.