Photo courtesy of Ivy Tejano
By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – The 11th Philippine Halal Trade and Tourism Expo is positioning a three-day event as a platform to expand Davao’s role in the growing halal economy, with activities focused on trade promotion, tourism, business matching, and support for micro, small and medium enterprises.
The expo, one of the country’s premier halal industry events, is set for June 3 to 5 this year at SMX Lanang in Davao City, with the formal opening scheduled on June 3 at around 2 p.m. It will gather local and international stakeholders to strengthen global halal.
Marilou Ampuan, founder and president of the Universal Islamic Center Inc., said the event will feature over 80 booths, including halal-certified establishments, MSMEs, institutional partners, and private sector participants. She added that the expo serves as a strategic platform to gather everyone.
She said this year’s event highlights the growing momentum of the Philippine halal industry in line with national development efforts and the objectives of Republic Act No. 10817 or the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act.
“The Philippine halal industry represents not only economic opportunity but also cultural understanding, inclusivity, quality, and global collaboration,” Ampuan said in a press conference at Tinhat Botique Hotel on Thursday, May 28.
She added that through this expo, we aim to strengthen partnerships, empower MSMEs, promote halal tourism, and create greater opportunities for the country in the international halal markey.
Ampuan emphasized that halal should not be understood only as food for Muslims, but as a broader way of life built on what is lawful, permissible, clean, and beneficial.
She said many halal industry players are non-Muslims and many non-Muslim consumers also seek halal-certified goods because they view them as healthy and trustworthy options.
“Halal is not only for Muslims and not only about food. It is a way of life,” Ampuan said.
She said embracing halal operations makes businesses more inclusive and opens opportunities in food, tourism, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, financing, and other sectors.
“Davao is now in a strong position to participate in the global halal economy,” Ampuan said, citing increasing interest from MSMEs seeking halal certification and preparing their products for local, regional, and international markets.
She said the expo will include business matching activities for investment and export opportunities, with expected participation from Malaysia, Indonesia, Oman, Taiwan, India, and other international partners.
Several government agencies are involved in halal industry development, including the Department of Agriculture for farm-level halal production, the Department of Trade and Industry for export and MSME support, the Department of Tourism for Muslim-friendly accommodation, the Department of Health and Food and Drug Administration for relevant products, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for Islamic financing initiatives.
The Mindanao Development Authority is also expected to play a role in investment and regional promotion through Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) linkages.
“After the event, our MSMEs often ask where they can place their products. Through the Universal Halal Hub located at Magallanes corner Pelayo Street, we now have a more accessible venue at the heart of the city,” Ampuan said.
One of the major features of the expo this year, Ampuan said, is the Universal Halal Hub, which will provide a venue where halal products from local entrepreneurs and partner suppliers may be showcased beyond the three-day event.
The expo will also host the Philippine Halal Industry Summit on June 4, with the MinDA helping organize the plenary discussions. The summit will bring together local, regional, national, and international panelists to discuss halal industry opportunities and development programs.
Business networking activities are also scheduled on June 4, while a halal culinary showcase is set on June 5. The organizer said the culinary program will feature different cuisines prepared by chefs and halal food professionals.
The event will also include free medical services from June 3 to 5 as part of the organizers’ Halal Social Responsibility initiative, which Ampuan said the Department of Health and the City Health Office will support the activity by providing doctors and medical services for visitors of all ages.
Philippine Airlines will also participate as an airline partner of the Philippine Halal Trade and Tourism Expo.
Paolo Diaz de Rivera, area head of the Mindanao Sales for PAL, said the airline has supported the halal expo in previous years and will join this year’s event to promote destinations and help connect buyers, passengers, and cargo opportunities within the Philippines and neighboring markets.
Rivera said halal tourism remains an important opportunity for the Philippines, especially in attracting Muslim travelers from the Middle East and neighboring ASEAN countries.
“PAL has been joining halal-related activities to better understand the market and support programs that can help grow halal tourism,” Rivera said.
Ampuan said the expo aims to show that Davao’s halal industry can serve both local and international markets while strengthening MSMEs, promoting inclusive business practices, and connecting the city to the broader ASEAN and global halal economy.
The Universal Islamic Center Inc. said admission to expo is free and is open to the public. Entrepreneurs, tourism operators, halal-certified establishments, media, and consumers are all invited to attend the event and support the halal trade and tourism in Davao.
