Cebu City ordinance pushes for halal products in establishments

Local

CEBU City is poised to become more inclusive with a new proposed ordinance aimed at integrating the halal concept into local businesses, ensuring the city caters to the needs of its sizable Muslim population.

This initiative strives to create a more accessible and respectful environment for the city’s Muslim community, whose cultural practices and dietary restrictions have long shaped their daily lives.

Vice Mayor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros is at the forefront of this proposal, which requires commercial establishments to set up separate sections for halal food, beverages, and non-food items.

The proposal also calls for the creation of exclusive halal lanes in these establishments to streamline the shopping experience for Muslim customers.

Hontiveros highlighted Cebu City's distinctive religious makeup, with a Christian majority and a significant Muslim minority, each having distinct beliefs and customs.

He emphasized that by promoting the halal concept, the proposed ordinance aligns with the vision of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) to position Cebu as a Muslim-friendly destination.

The ordinance is also seen as a step towards turning Cebu into a more inclusive cultural hub, considering the sizable Muslim populations in the neighboring southern regions of the Philippines.

The focus of the ordinance will initially be on the food sector, ensuring that Muslims can easily access food that aligns with halal standards. "Halal," which refers to items that are permitted under Islamic law as dictated by the Quran and Hadith, must meet strict spiritual and dietary guidelines.

If the ordinance is approved, it will affect a wide range of establishments in Cebu City, including public markets, supermarkets, grocery stores, meat shops, malls, hotels, and restaurants.

The measure will also cover food stalls, eateries, and any businesses involved in producing or distributing halal products.

For food to be classified as halal, it must come from specific herbivorous animals like cattle, goats, sheep, lambs, and certain types of poultry. Products deemed haram, such as pork, alcohol, carnivorous animals, and improperly slaughtered meat, would be prohibited within these sections.

To ensure halal integrity, the ordinance mandates strict segregation of halal and non-halal products at every stage, from delivery and storage to packaging and display.

Halal items must be separated, with dedicated halal lanes or payment counters, and green baskets designated for halal products to prevent contamination.

Additionally, the ordinance prohibits the sale of meat from animals that have died due to disease, accidents, or improper slaughter methods, further reinforcing the commitment to halal standards that reflect the Muslim community’s dietary and spiritual values.(MyTVCebu)