GETTING READY. Members of the Iloilo Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association (IHRAA) are preparing to be able to serve halal food, spokesperson Happy Abenir says on Wednesday (Dec. 11, 2019). She noted, however, that halal food will still be unavailable during the Dinagyang IHRAA food festival on Jan. 23-26, 2020. (PNA photo by Perla G. Lena)
ILOILO CITY -- Members of the Iloilo hotels, resorts and restaurants association are leveling up their food offering by ensuring that they will soon be able to serve halal food.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Happy Abenir, spokesperson of the Iloilo Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association (IHRRA), said their members have participated in the training for halal food provided by the science, tourism, and agriculture departments.
“We encourage (our members) and we are actively participating because some of our members are already considering it because it has certain requirements,” Abenir said.
The IHRAA sits as co-chair of the Ilonggo Food Festival, one of the events for the 2020 Dinagyang Festival.
She said some 30 kiosks will be made available by the association for the food fest set to be held at the City Proper’s Delgado Street on Jan. 23-26, 2020.
During the food fest, Abenir said visitors and their patrons can partake of food that Iloilo is known for -- grilled chicken, baked oysters, and fresh seafood to name a few.
“I beg the indulgence of those requiring halal food because we could not supply yet in the meantime,” she said, adding that hopefully in the coming years, they would be able to do so.
Halal food adheres to Islamic Law. Abenir noted that certain methods have to be followed and certain procedures should be practiced when preparing halal food.
“So we are encouraging some of our members already, due to the influx of our visitors who are requiring halal food,” she said.
Meanwhile, she said that next year’s participants in the food fest will “put their best foot forward” as the event will have the theme “Viva Iloilo, the Best of the Best for 2020”.
She added that proper coordination has been done with concerned government agencies. They also adhere to government regulations, such as food pricing.
“Every year we have not gone wrong. Everybody comes out satisfied,” she said of their past food festivals.
Abenir said next year, their patrons would be treated to a nightly live band for entertainment, as well as raffle prizes and other surprises. (PNA)
