Cotabato City | May 28, 2025
As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Enterprises, Cooperatives, and Halal Industry, Member of Parliament Abdulbasit R. Benito expressed his full support for the passage of BTA Bill No. 10, also known as the Halal Food Certification Act of 2025, during today's Committee on Trade, Investment, and Tourism meeting held at the Bangsamoro Parliament.
Chaired by MP Abdullah Hashim, the committee meeting focused on advancing legislative measures that aim to promote economic integrity, consumer protection, and cultural identity through the institutionalization of a credible and inclusive halal food certification system in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
MP Benito emphasized the bill’s potential to boost the region’s economic potential by strengthening halal-based social enterprises and empowering cooperatives and small producers to meet global halal standards. “This legislation aligns with our vision of inclusive economic growth anchored in faith, fairness, and food safety,” he stated. “It is not just about certification; it is about creating a system of trust that opens doors for Bangsamoro products both locally and globally.”
He also reiterated the vital role of cooperatives and social entrepreneurs in shaping a sustainable halal ecosystem, pointing out that the bill would provide them not only with guidelines but also with a platform for growth and recognition in the broader economy.
With halal being a defining element of Bangsamoro identity and livelihood, MP Benito assured his unwavering support for the bill’s swift passage, calling it “a necessary pillar in our roadmap toward a self-reliant, faith-aligned, and globally competitive Bangsamoro economy.”
The Committee on Trade, Investment, and Tourism is expected to deliberate further on the technical provisions of the bill in the coming days.
May 28, 2025 - BY Admin