Provincial capitol building of Sarangani. (File photo courtesy of the provincial government)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – An international-standard Halal abattoir--the second in Region 12 (Soccsksargen)--will soon rise in Malapatan town, Sarangani province.
Jennifer Kamid, manager of the provincial government’s Kalinaw program, said Monday the initial preparations are underway for the construction this year of the modern slaughterhouse through a PHP25-million grant from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Kamid said the local governments of Malapatan and Sarangani will provide a counterpart funding of PHP2.5 million each for the planned “triple-A” slaughterhouse, considered as the first under such classification in the region.
“This will be a huge boost to our goat and cattle raisers, and related industries,” Kamid told reporters, adding they have been closely coordinating the construction of the slaughterhouse with the DA-12, through the Halal and livestock divisions.
She said the city government of Cotabato provided technical assistance for the project.
In 2015, DA opened the region’s first and biggest Halal slaughterhouse--a PHP20-million “double A” facility--in Cotabato City.
Halal means permissible or fit for Muslim consumption. It is free of alcohol and pork, or its derivatives.
Kamid said the Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon pushed for the construction of the facility to provide better opportunities for farmers, especially those in remote and upland areas.
DA-12 saw the province’s potential of developing into a major production area for Halal products due to its thriving livestock production, she added.
Last month, the provincial government established a council that will spearhead the implementation of programs for Halal micro, small and medium enterprises in the area.
In coordination with DA-12, it hosted a forum to raise awareness on the government’s Halal standards and enabling regulations for commerce among local industries. (PNA)
