CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 3 reinforced its commitment to advancing the Halal industry in Central Luzon through the successful conduct of the event, “Strengthening Halal MSME Competitiveness: Awarding and Capacity Development” on March 18, 2026, at the Social Action Center of Pampanga (SACOP), City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
This event brought together 32 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from the seven provinces of Central Luzon and served as both a recognition activity and a strategic capacity-building initiative aimed at equipping local enterprises with the knowledge and insights to access and compete in the global Halal market.
Kimcen Mejia of the Department of Science and Technology delivered a comprehensive session on key requirements for Halal certification, including food safety standards such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). Dr. Ustadz Alex Sultan of Halal International Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the Philippines HICCIP), stressed the importance of Halal Certifying bodies partnering with MSMEs and government to ensure safe and quality products. Mr. Hamdanie “Dann” Macabago, also from HICCIP, explained the responsibilities of sustaining the practices of Halal product processing in order to ensure quality Halal products. He also highlighted emerging opportunities in the Halal sector. Paulo V. Estrada of the DTI E-commerce Bureau, meanwhile, discussed the Philippine E-Commerce Trustmark, market expansion strategies, and the opportunities in Halal Market. Mr. Ricardo Perez of the Small Business Corporation discussed the agency’s Falah Financing program— a customized financing package designed to support MSMEs in sustaining and scaling their operations in an increasingly competitive Halal market environment.
Dimnatang Radia, Program Manager of the DTI Halal Domestic Program Management Office (PMO) underscored the various efforts of DTI Head Office in supporting the Halal Strategic Development Plan. He further cited the plans of the Halal PMO to certify more Halal MSMEs from all over the country, as his office is continually working to access more funds to subsidize Halal Certification and capacity building.
A major highlight of the activity was the awarding ceremony recognizing thirteen (13) MSMES that successfully obtained Halal certification in 2025 under the DTI’s Halal Industry Development and Promotion Project (HIDPP). The recognition underscored the awardees’ commitment to quality, compliance, and global standards.
DTI Region 3 emphasized that initiatives such as this are vital in enhancing MSME competitiveness and opening new market opportunities, not only within the Philippines but also across the ASEAN region and the global Halal economy.
“By equipping MSMEs with the necessary knowledge and tools to succeed, we are ensuring that Central Luzon remains a competitive player in the rapidly expanding global Halal market,” said Regional Director Edna D. Dizon of the Department of Trade and Industry Region 3. “Beyond food, the Halal industry extends to sectors such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and other industries. This presents valuable opportunities for MSMEs in Region 3 to diversify their products and services, expand their market reach, and integrate into the highly competitive global value chain.”
By bridging the gap between certification and market readiness, DTI-3 continues to promote inclusive growth, strengthen international quality compliance, and enhance the resilience and competitiveness of MSMEs across the region.
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