‘Halal Goodness’ tourism program to serve Islamic cuisine in Philippine

Sunday 09 Aug 2015 - 11:57 Makkah mean time-24-10-1436

Koronadal, Philippines (IINA) - A joint tourism program highlighting Muslim cuisine and culture with Cotabato city in Philippine as the core destination, is being organized by Soccsksargen (Region 12) and the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), BusinessWorld online news agency reported.
The Autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao is an Autonomous region of the Philippines, located in the Mindanao island group of the Philippines.
Called “Halal Goodness, an introduction to Muslim Cuisine,” the project capitalizes on the authentic Islamic heritage and modern-day life of Muslims in Mindanao.
Cotabato City, a part of Region 12 that also serves as the administrative seat of ARMM is known among other things, for the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid or the Grand Mosque, the Inaul Weaving Center, brassware-making, barter trade, and the heritage building of the old city hall.
The city is also home to the four-hectare double “A” class accredited halal slaughterhouse, the biggest in the country, while Koronadal City, Region-12’s regional center, has the four-story Philippine National Halal Laboratory.
Soccsksargen stands for the four provinces and independent cities in Region 12: South Cotabato, Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City.
Tourism Assistant Secretary Arturo P. Boncato, in a recent meeting among Mindanao’s regional directors, said Region 12 could serve as the halal food tourism hub with these facilities, while the Department of Tourism (DoT)-ARMM may plan the expansion in their region.
The ARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan, and the City of Marawi. The region will be replaced by a new Bangsamoro political and geographical entity if the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law is passed by congress.
Nelly Nita N. Dillera, regional chief of DoT-Soccsksargen, said they are taking advantage of the existing attractions and resources to develop the food tourism program.
“Food tourism is nothing new, but what the two regions have is something authentic and with identity,” she said.
The United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organization defines halal food as that fulfilling the standards of Islamic Law.
Ms. Dillera said restaurant operators and hoteliers will be encouraged to include and upscale halal cuisine in their menus.
SM/IINA

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