VILLAR SEEKS FOR THE CREATION OF 'HALAL' BODY

In recognition of the rich tradition and way of life of our Muslim brothers, Sen. Cynthia Villar seeks for the creation of a government body that would address all the concerns of the halal industry.

Villar said the proposed Philippine Halal Accreditation and Regulatory Board (PHARB) will be responsible for the formulation, drafting, management and implementation of programs relevant to manufacturing, production, distribution, preparation, handling, storage and verification of halal approved-food, non-food merchandise and services.

PHARB shall be attached to the Office of the President. It shall be composed of the Governing Council, Accreditation Committee and the Board Secretariat. In filing Senate 312, otherwise known as the "Philippine Halal Act," Villar stressed it is the policy of the State to protect the interest of the people for clean, pure and healthy food."

She said the government must ensure compliance with international standards of good manufacturing and hygienic practices by institutionalizing a halal system for food, non-food products and services due to its growing demand both in the local and international market.

Villar's piece of legislation also intends to inform the people of the Muslim society's basic culture which provides that their food or products or their ingredients must not contain any component of animals and carrion prohibited under Sharia'h Law, and the slaughter of animals should not counter the same law.

The ingredients in their food should not be considered Haram (unlawful) or Najis. As defined by Sharia'h Law, najis means things that are themselves filthy and cannot be cleaned like pork, blood and carrion, as well as lawful food that has been contaminated or has come in contact with filth.

"Also, halal products should not be prepared, processed or manufactured using equipment that has been contaminated with Haram or Najis. During its preparation, processing, storage or transportation, the food or products is fully separated from, and does not come in contact with any other food or product that has been decreed Haram or Najis by Sharia'h Law," also read the resolution.

"Service establishments such as, but not limited to, hotels, restaurants, resourts and similar service facilities purposely established for and catering to the public, particularly Muslim patrons, and abattoirs, factories and similar establishments purposely producing halal goods shall conform to the Philippine National Standards for Halal ....."

Furthermore, the labelling of products certified halal or its equivalent should not be used in ways which could give rise to doubt about the safety of similar food or to claim that halal foods are nutritionally superior or healthier than other foods.

The measure also seeks to institutionalize a national standard at par with the world accepted halal standards ordained in advanced Muslim societies and the same to be observed in all abattoirs, outlets, hotels, restaurants and other service establishments.

The global market for halal foods is estimated at US$547 billion a year. The huge market has drawn interest from food producing countries worldwide. The demand and sale of halal products continue to climb due to the growing number of the Muslim population globally and in the Philippines.

The concept of halal, which means 'permissible' in Arabic, has been traditionally applied to food. But now, goods like cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, clothing and services are also being certified halal.

Halal foods are healthy because Muslims make sure that slaughtered animals are also healthy and clean, and pay particular attention to the feeds given the animals.

They also adhere to the proper method of slaughtering an animal for consumption, known as dhabihah.There are procedures in the certification of halal food and other products.