Halal exports law signed amid opposition by Muslim groups
Business World
May 19, 2016
PRESIDENT Benigno S. C. Aquino III has signed into law a consolidated measure on halal exports, amid opposition by a number of institutions led by Muslim Filipinos.
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In a statement yesterday, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) called on Mr. Aquino to veto the proposed Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2015. But Mr. Aquino had signed the measure three days earlier.?
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?It appears that the message to the ordinary Muslim Filipinos is that the government is only concerned in the integrity of Halal for its export value rather than the protection of the well-being and interests of domestic Muslim consumers, thereby putting the interests of ordinary Muslim Filipino below that of foreign Muslims,? the NCMF statement read.
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Among other things, the new law stipulates the mandatory certification on halal products for exports, as distinguished from the products for distribution and sale in the domestic market.
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The NCMF, the sole government entity for Muslim affairs, also criticized the legislation for downgrading its authority on this matter, in behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry, whose secretary takes precedence in authority over the NCMF secretary.
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?The NCMF could be reduced into a mere rubber stamp that is lacking meaningful involvement in the Philippine Halal industry,? the commission said.
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Besides the NCMF, the Federation of Bangsamoro Civil Society Organization had also urged Mr. Aquino to veto the measure, according to a report by luwaran.com, the Web site of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
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An earlier law from 2010 — Republic Act No. 9997 creating the NCMF — identifies as among this body?s ?Powers and Functions?: ?promote and develop the Philippine Halal Industry and accredit halal-certifying entities/bodies for the utmost benefit of Muslim Filipinos and in partnership or cooperation with appropriate agencies, individuals and institutions here and abroad.?
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The new law, Republic Act No. 10817, aims to make the halal export industry more competitive in the global market. ?
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Related release from Luwaran News.
