The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Office No. 11 (DOST-XI), in collaboration with the Philippine Women’s College (PWC), is set to inaugurate the country’s first Halal Kitchen.
This innovative facility will function as an innovation, research center, and demonstration site for the Halal industry.
Mayan Jane J. Inni, Assistant Regional Director for DOST-XI, highlighted the existing gap in promoting Halal and tourism despite previous initiatives such as the Halal Verification and Laboratory and various research and development (R&D) collaborations with higher education institutions (HEIs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs).
“The problem is we have very few halal-certified hotels and restaurants here in Davao. Recognizing that Davao is a potential hub for events in Mindanao and the southern part of the country becomes a limitation for us. Through this partnership, we established the Halal kitchen facility at PWC to provide an innovation and research center for the industry to learn and adapt to Halal standards, especially in tourism and education,” Inni explained.
Dr. Aristotle P. Carandang, Dean of PWC, emphasized the economic potential of the Halal industry, noting its recognition as a multi-billion-dollar sector that could significantly boost the Philippines’ economy.
“While it will cater to the rest of the Philippines, this Halal kitchen is pioneering in our efforts to address the needs of the Halal sector. Starting with R&D and laboratory services, we are now expanding to comprehensive services. This makes the Davao Region Halal kitchen the first of its kind in the Philippines,” Carandang stated.
Dr. Carandang also expressed optimism about the facility’s imminent operational status, mentioning the ongoing government registration and the planned training programs for trainers. These initiatives will be incorporated into PWC’s curriculum to enhance the capabilities of professionals, particularly tourism students.
Upon becoming operational, DOST-XI will provide experts and resource speakers for requested orientations and training sessions. The facility, inaugurated in August 2023, was equipped through funding from DOST-XI and the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development.
The new facility was introduced during the Science Journo Ako (SJA) seminar-workshop, a science journalism event held in Davao City on July 10-11, 2024, and organized by the DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute. The event was attended by 54 junior and senior high school students and teachers from 15 schools in the Davao region.
The establishment of the Halal Kitchen marks a significant step towards promoting Halal practices in the Philippines, potentially transforming Davao City into a key hub for Halal tourism and education in the region.
