Lack of Halal menu in Phl discouraging Asean visitors

CEBU, Philippines — The lack of Halal certified establishments in the Philippines is slowing down the influx of tourists from the ASEAN bloc, an airline executive said.

Philippines Air Asia Inc., chief executive officer Dexter M. Comendador suggested that the Philippines should step up in establishing more Halal-certified establishments to take a sizeable share of the over 600 million potential visitors from ASEAN member countries.  "Hope businesses here [Philippines] especially restaurants will consider putting Halal option in their menus," said Comendador.

Air Asia, a Malaysia-based low-cost airline company flies to most destinations in the ASEAN.

In fact, Air Asia is the only airline that is allowed to wear the ASEAN seal, under the ASEAN Pass.

Air Asia ASEAN Pass is a travel pass that allows guests to lock down low base fares with credit, and redeem flight with the credit to travel across 10 Asean countries - Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Philippines.

"Food problem is a big issue for them (people from Asean countries)," added Comendador.

Halal meals are prepared according to Islamic law, and must be free from pork products, alcohol and certain other ingredients. A variety of Islamic groups are involved in Halal certification, with companies who wish their products to carry a Halal label paying fees for inspection and certification.

Republic Act 10817 or the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act signed by former President Benigno S. Aquino aimed to establish a comprehensive program for the development and promotion of halal exports.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) has been urging companies to employ Halal-certified operations or products.

According to Albino M. Ganchero, DTI-Halal section head the Philippine government is now working closely with different certification companies in the United Arabs of Emirates (UEA), through the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) in order to help more companies in the Philippines to get halal certification.

At present, Ganchero said it is quite complicated and also expensive to get a certification, carrying the logo alone already would cost a company P200 thousand.

A study conducted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) showed that the global halal market is projected to grow to $1.6 trillion by 2018.

The halal food trade alone contributed $630 billion to this amount. (FREEMAN)