COTABATO CITY—In pursuit of establishing a Halal-compliant region, the Bangsamoro Government officially turned over the first Bangsamoro-integrated Halal Slaughterhouse and meat processing facility on August 23 in the towns of Datu Salibo and Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao del Sur.
The facilities, with a combined value of Php7.1 million, consist of a Php3.8 million Integrated Halal Slaughterhouse located in Barangay Sambolawan, Datu Salibo, and a Php3.3 million Halal Meat Processing and Training Center situated in Barangay Madia, Datu Saudi Ampatuan.
This Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) initiative aims to enhance food security and reduce dependence on imported meats that may not adhere to Halal requirements, ensuring greater confidence in the quality and authenticity of consumed meat.
Halal means food and products permitted by the laws of Islam.
During the turnover ceremony, MAFAR Director General for Agriculture Services, Daud Lagasi, emphasized that these facilities are integral to the Ministry’s mission of establishing a dependable source of Halal-compliant meat.
Datu Salibo Municipal Mayor Sulaiman Sandigan underscored the unity this endeavor symbolizes among the Bangsamoro leaders, emphasizing its importance to the community.
“Now that the slaughterhouse is here, let’s take it all in its entirety, and let’s make it operate for the people of Datu Salibo and the neighboring town,” Mayor Sandigan stressed.
Accordingly, the Halal Meat Processing and Training Center is instrumental in advancing the Bangsamoro Government’s endeavor to produce unquestionably Halal foods.
The facility will also serve as a platform for training programs related to Halal meat processing.
Datu Saudi Ampatuan Municipal Mayor Edris Sindatok emphasized the significant value of the project, saying, “As a Bangsamoro, it is not only important for us to have this halal facility but we need this. We need to see how meat is processed especially on Halal compliant.”
The management of the Integrated Halal Slaughterhouse has been entrusted to the Uton Farmers Agri-Business Marketing Cooperative of Datu Salibo, while the Halal Meat Processing and Training Center falls under the supervision of the Youth and Women Producers Cooperative of Datu Saudi Ampatuan.
Fostering the development and implementation of responsive policies and innovative convergence programs that enhance access to essential capital, resources, training, facilities, and equipment for farmers and fisherfolks is a core element of the Enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.
Key attendees at the ceremony included the MAFAR Engineering Division led by Engr. Ashnaira Abdullah, Project Contractor, MAFAR Halal Focal Engr Saidona Lawan, MAFAR Maguindanao Chief of Agriculture Operation Saudi Mangindra, MAFAR Maguindanao Halal Focal Norhid Wahab, MAFAR Municipal Officers of Datu Salibo headed by Engr Shuaib Salwang, MAFAR Municipal Officers of Datu Saudi Ampatuan led by Hamsa Abdul, and representatives from the Municipal and Barangay Local Government Units and cooperative members. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO with reports from MAFAR)
