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COTABATO CITY — Bangsamoro lawmakers are exploring the creation of a Halal Food Innovation Center (HFIC) that would serve as a hub for research and product development in support of the region’s growing halal industry.
The proposal was discussed during a focus group discussion conducted by the Committee on Science and Technology (COST) through its Subcommittee on Ethics and Regulation.
During the meeting, officials and representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) presented the proposed Bangsamoro Halal Food Innovation Laboratory, which will provide research and technical support for the development of halal food products in the region.
MOST said the proposed laboratory will work on developing halal food products from local raw materials and improving their nutritional content and commercial appeal. It will also support the development of emergency food products for use during disasters and other humanitarian situations.
Representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTIT) such as Hamida E. Yacob and others also pushed for the creation of a single office that will handle the accreditation and certification of halal products and services in the region.
The Bangsa Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 CAB, is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi; as well as the Special Geographic Area (SGA) with eight municipalities in North Cotabato but under BARMM jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta emphasized the importance of halal food production in ensuring food security and supporting the growth of the region’s halal sector.
Member of the Parliament (MP) Muhammad Nadzir Ebil, chair of the subcommittee, backed efforts to establish a Halal Food Innovation Center in the region, citing the importance of halal food in the Bangsamoro community.
The proposed center is expected to serve as a hub for research and innovation that will help advance the Bangsamoro halal industry while supporting local producers and consumers.
Parliament also eyeing establishing maritime school in Tawi-Tawi
In another development, the Parliament’s Committees on Basic, Higher and Technical Education (CBHTE) and Finance, Budget and Management (CFBM) held a joint hearing to discuss a proposed Php196-million budget for the establishment of a maritime school in Tawi-Tawi.
Lawmakers tackled Parliament Bill (PB) No. 365, or the Tawi-Tawi Maritime School Act of 2025, which seeks to establish a specialized tertiary institution focused on maritime education and training in the island province.
The measure, authored by Floor Leader John Anthony Lim, seeks initial funding of Php196 million to cover startup costs, including land acquisition, construction of buildings, equipment, personnel services, maintenance, and other operating expenses.
Lim said the proposed campus will be located in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, chosen for its accessibility to residents across the province.
If approved, the school is expected to admit its first students within three years.
During the deliberations, CFBM Chair Kitem Kadatuan, Jr. expressed full support for the measure while reiterating the importance of fiscal responsibility and proper documentation in the utilization of public funds.
He stressed the need to ensure compliance with budgetary and legal requirements, noting that expenditure proposals must be properly supported prior to approval.
CBHTE Chair Tomanda Antok said the committee will continue its review of the proposal in a follow-up joint hearing to further refine the funding details and ensure all requirements are met prior to endorsement. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)
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Source: BTA