DOST opens world-class Halal center in SoCot

HALAL HUB --- DOST Secretary Fotunato dela Peña and DOST 12 Regional Director Zenaida Hadji Raof Laidan led the opening ceremonies of the Philippine Halal Laboratory and Science Center.  With them in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Russian Ambassador Ihor Khovaev (3rd from right) and Standards and Metrology Institute of Islamic Countries (SMIIC)-Turkey Secretary General Ihsan Övüt (3rd from left).  (DED/PIA 12/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

KORONADAL CITY --- Soccsksargen Region’s Department of Science and Technology (DOST 12) formally opened last week a state-of-the art facility intended to promote the Philippines’ Halal industry in the international market. 

The facility, the Philippine National Halal Laboratory and Science Center, is located in Barangay Paraiso, Koronadal City, South Cotabato. 

Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña and DOST 12 Regional Director Zenaida Hadji Raof Laidan led the inauguration.

Also in attendance were Secretary General Ihsan Övüt of the Standards and Metrology Institute of Islamic Countries (SMIIC) of Turkey, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to the Philippines Ihor Khovaev, and officials from Halal industry leading countries of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

“The Philippine National Halal Laboratory and Science Center is a one-stop center with an ultimate goal to develop locally made products of premium brands compliant to internationally accepted standards and requirements adapting the new unified global Halal standards,” said Dr. Laidan. 

“It is a pioneering Halal facility envisioned to be a certified laboratory for Halal and serve as a clearinghouse of Halal products coming in and out of the country for the benefit of the Halal consumers,” Laidan added. 

Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted. Although usually referring to meat and food products, Halal is also used in reference to other commodities such as food ingredients, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, textiles, and others. 

Laidan revealed that the Philippine National Halal Laboratory and Science Center has been granted authority by the Standard and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) to use its Global Unified Halal Standards in product testing, certification, and other requirements. 

Besides Halal product testing and certification, the center also conducts research and development, product development, training and other activities related to improving the Philippines’ presence in the US $ 1.4 trillion global Halal market. 

Philippines’ Halal program started in 2003 when Director Laidan proposed the creation of the “Philippine Science and Technology Program for the Development of Halal Industry” under the management of DOST 12. 

In 2006, it was expanded with a national scope and identified as a high impact program of the DOST.  

About two years later, the national Halal program was launched. 

As a priority initiative, the Halal program consists of six components: advocacy, policy development, support for the growth of small and medium enterprises for global competitiveness, Halal certification, information management system, and establishment of the Philippine National Laboratory and Science Center. 

Construction of the facility with an initial budget of P75 million took off in 2009 in a lot donated by the Provincial Government of South Cotabato.

Delays in the construction work led the DOST 12 leadership to establish a world-class Halal laboratory in its regional office in Cotabato City in 2010. 

In 2015, DOST 12 received permission from SMIIC to use the latter’s Global Unified Halal Standards. 

In 2017, DOST 12 received additional funding of P75 million to complete the construction of new Halal laboratory and science center.

The Philippine National Halal Laboratory and Science Center is located beside another DOST-run facility, The Philippine Science High School-Soccsksargen Region Campus. (DED/PIA 12/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)