Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2291

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep: Mohamad Khalid Q. Di

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the Islamic Religion, certain things and acts are sinful and forbidden. This is
termed as haram and is one of the five Islamic Commandments that define the morality of
human action. The category of haram is the highest status of prohibition. Among the things
considered haram is the intake of pork or any of its derivatives.

Recent data indicate that there are close to five million Filipino Muslims all over the
country, with the majority concentrated in several areas in Mindanao. Significant Muslim
populations, including tourists and expatriates from Muslim countries, are also present in the
major cities and urban areas. However, in a pre-dominantly Christian country like the
Philippines, pork products are in abundance in the domestic market. Many food products
have ingredients coming from pork or its derivatives and this is the reason why Filipino
Muslims are very particular with the food they consume.

Among non-Muslims, there is now an increasing awareness against pork products,
especially the health conscious. There are also certain Christian sects that prohibit the
consumption of pork products. Hence, they share with the Muslims the same concerns in
ensuring that the food they eat is pork-free.

It is unfortunate that common practices among distributors and retailers of meat
products are not receptive to the religious and cultural sensitivities of Filipino Muslims. Pork
products are being handled, stored and sold together with non-pork products, contaminating
and rendering the latter unfit for consumption by Muslims.

It is, therefore, the objective of this bill to ensure that non-pork meat products
available in the market shall be free from contamination from pork, its derivatives and other
forbidden substances under the Islamic faith by requiring supermarkets, meat shops, as well
as public and private markets in metropolitan and urban areas and such other areas with
significant Muslim populations to segregate non-pork products from pork products or any
product containing pork, its derivatives and other substances considered haram. This is to
ensure that the food products Muslims consume are free from forbidden substances.

In view of the significance of this measure to the total development of the Philippine
society where understanding and tolerance of its religious and cultural diversity reign, the
prompt approval of this measure is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 2291.

Introduced by Rep: Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo_

AN ACT
REQUIRING SUPERMARKETS, MEAT SHOPS AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
MARKETS IN METROPOLITAN AND URBAN AREAS AND SUCH AREAS WITH
SIGNIFICANT MUSLIM POPULATION IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, TO
SEGREGATE NON-PORK MEAT PRODUCTS FROM PORK PRODUCTS AND ITS
DERIVATIVES OR ANY PRODUCT CONTAINING PORK OR ANY OF ITS
DERIVATIVES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines, in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Segregation of Non-Pork Products. Supermarkets, meat shops and
public and private markets in metropolitan and urban areas and such areas with significant
Muslim populations, are hereby mandated to segregate non-pork products from pork products
or its derivatives, or any product containing pork and its derivatives. Segregation shall be
observed in all phases involving handling, storage and selling of the non-pork products.

SECTION 2. Exclusivity of Equipment, Utensils and Devices for Non-Pork Products.
‘The management of the establishments mentioned in the preceding section shall ensure that
equipment, utensils and devices used in the storage, handling and selling of non-pork
products, such as but not limited to freezers, slicers, cutters, knives, scoops, containers,
weighing scales and wrappers, shall be used exclusively for non-pork products to the
exclusion of pork products or its derivatives or any product containing pork or its derivatives.

SECTION 3. implementing Rules and Regulations. The Secretary of the Department
of Trade and Industry, in coordination with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos,
shall issue such guidelines, orders or rules and regulations as may be necessary for the
implementation of the provisions and purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. Penalty Clause. Violations of the provisions of this Act shall be
penalized by a fine of five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) for the first offense; ten thousand
pesos (P10,000.00) for the second offense and revocation of the permit to sell meat products
for the third offense.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen days following the
completion of the publication requirements as provided by law.

Approved,