Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) and the City Government of Mati have entered into a partnership to boost halal tourism and inclusive hospitality services in Davao Oriental.
The collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on November 18 by DOrSU President Dr. Roy G. Ponce and Mati City Mayor Michelle N. Rabat in Mati City.
Under the agreement, DOrSU will leverage its Center for Tourism Information, Education, and Communication (CTIEC), led by Dr. Rose Anelyn V. Ceniza, and other academic programs to provide technical expertise, oversee project implementation, and lead public awareness campaigns promoting halal tourism. This initiative aligns with Mati City’s Halal Ordinance No. 555, Series of 2023, which aims to foster sustainable and inclusive tourism while respecting Muslim cultural traditions.
City Tourism Officer Dashiel E. Indelible Jr., head of the City Tourism and Promotions Office, pledged support for the project by facilitating the participation of beneficiaries and assisting in the development of promotional materials. Both parties also agreed to strengthen research and extension programs to advance community development and sustainability in tourism.
The partnership will remain in effect for five years, marking a significant step toward establishing Mati City as a halal tourism hub.
