c 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2831 
(In Substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 294, 312, 1130 and 1885) 
'15 
JUN -8 P5 :07 
Prepared and submitted jointly by the Committees on Agriculture and Food, Trade, 
Commerce and Entrepreneurship and Finance, with Senators Revilla, Villar, 
Trillanes IV, and Defensor Santiago as authors 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING 
THE 
PHILIPPINE 
HALAL 
EXPORT 
DEVELOPMENT 
AND 
PROMOTION PROGRAM, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE PHILIPPINE 
HALAL EXPORT DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION BOARD, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Halal Export 
2 
Development and Promotion Act of 2015." 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Recognizing the significant role of exports to 
4 
national economic development, and the potential contribution of Halal industries, it is 
5 
hereby declared the policy of the State to promote the growth and ensure the 
6 
integrity and quality of Philippine Halal exports. 
7 
With the internationalization of markets brought about by globalization and 
8 
economic integration, and mindful of the State's commitment under international 
9 
trade agreements including multilateral and bilateral mutual recognition agreements, 
10 
harmonization of standards to international standards and compliance to standards of 
11 
Halal products, processes and services become indispensable. The State, therefore, 
12 
shall assert its right to exercise police power against trade malpractices. 
13 
It is also the policy of the State to develop and promote Halal industries as 
14 
mode of achieving equity and justice among our farmers and producers, and 
15 
increasing employment opportunities for the domestic labor force. With this, the State 


1 
shall adopt measures to make Halal exports more competitive through, among 
2 
others, research and product development, quality assurance measures, value-
3 
adding mechanisms, thereby making the Philippines an active player in regional and 
4 
international markets and not just a mere spectator of globalized trade. 
5 
Lastly, it shall also be the policy of the State to protect consumers and users of 
6 
Halal products, processes and services from unscrupulous and unfair agricultural, 
7 
manufacturing and trade practices. 
8 
Towards these ends, the State shall establish a comprehensive program for 
9 
the development and promotion of Halal export, provide the policy, regulatory, and 
10 
coordinative structures and mechanisms for the promotion and export of Philippine 
11 
Halal products, and institute measures and provide programs to ensure compliance 
12 
and integrity of producers, manufacturers and providers of Halal products, processes 
13 
and services to national and/or international or foreign standards. 
14 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
15 
have the following definition: 
16 
a. Accreditation - means the procedure by which a government agency having 
17 
jurisdiction formally attests to the competence of an inspection and/or 
18 
certification body to provide inspection and certification services; 
19 
b. Certification - means third party attestation of conformance to standards and 
20 
guidelines related to products, processes, systems or persons; 
21 
c. Halal- means lawful or permissible under Sharia'h (Islamic Law); 
22 
d. Processes -
refers to a set of interrelated or interacting activities which 
23 
transforms inputs to outputs; 
24 
e. Products -
refers to food and non-food items produced by human or 
25 
mechanical effort, or by a natural process, or a combination thereof, and 
26 
marketed or sold as a commodity; 
27 
f. 
Recognition - refers to the acknowledgment of the validity of a conformity 
28 
assessment result provided by a person or body, and 
2 


1 
g. Services - refers to an intangible result of at least one activity performed by a 
2 
supplier or provider for a customer. 
3 
SEC. 4. The Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion 
4 
Program. - There is hereby established the Philippine Halal Export Development 
5 
and Promotion Program, which shall refer to the comprehensive set of objectives, 
6 
targets, strategies and activities for the growth of Halal industries producing or 
7 
providing products, processes and services and resulting to increased exports of 
8 
Halal products. 
9 
It shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas of concern: the 
10 
development and application of Halal agricultural and manufacturing standards and 
11 
practices; the organization and development of accredited certification bodies 
12 
through, among others, capacity building and the formulation and application of 
13 
internationally-accepted accreditation standards; identification and expansion of 
14 
markets for Halal products, processes and services; forging of international and 
15 
bilateral agreements especially on harmonization of standards; compliance of 
16 
producers, manufacturers, service providers, traders and exporters to established 
17 
local or international standards; industry development and 
promotion, including 
18 
expansion into non-food Halal products and services; consumer awareness and fair 
19 
trade practices; and provision of common service facilities. 
20 
SEC. 5. Creation of Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion 
21 
Board. - To ensure the attainment of the objectives of this Act, there is hereby 
22 
created the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board, herein 
23 
referred to as the Halal Board. The Halal Board shall be the policy-making body on 
24 
Halal export development and shall set the overall direction for the implementation of 
25 
the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Program. It shall be attached 
26 
to the Department of Trade and Industry. 
27 
In the performance of its mandate, the Halal Board shall institutionalize the 
28 
involvement of Muslim Filipino people's organizations and non-government 
3 


1 
organizations through membership in consultative or advisory bodies, coordination of 
2 
activities with government agencies concerned with Halal industry development, and 
3 
participation in regular conSUltative mechanisms such as public hearings and round-
4 
table discussions. 
5 
SEC 6. 
Powers and Functions. - The Halal Board shall have the following 
6 
powers and functions: 
7 
a. Formulate, advocate, coordinate, oversee and assess the implementation 
8 
of the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Program; 
9 
b. Direct and coordinate the development and harmonization of Philippine 
10 
National Standards for Halal by standard setting agencies, and monitor, 
11 
through the government regulatory agencies, the application thereof on 
12 
products, processes and services; 
13 
c. Spearhead and support the forging of international agreements, and the 
14 
recognition of accredited Halal certification bodies in other countries, to 
15 
open new and expand existing markets for Halal products, processes and 
16 
services; 
17 
d. Issue the Philippine Halal Logo and the guidelines on the proper use 
18 
thereof: Provided, That the use of logos of certification bodies on certified 
19 
products, processes and services shall be without prejudice: Provided 
20 
further, That all other government agencies are prohibited to issue a logo 
21 
and require the use of such logo as proof of compliance to a standard or 
22 
regulation as Halal: and Provided, finally, That the use of logos previously 
23 
issued by government agencies involved in Halal development and 
24 
promotion is hereby disallowed; 
25 
e. Encourage and support the establishment of a single umbrella organization 
26 
of Halal certification bodies, which can be tapped by standard setting and 
27 
regulatory agencies to assist in the development and in monitoring the 
28 
application of internationally-accepted Halal certification standards; 
4 


1 
f. 
Promulgate policies and guidelines as necessary or proper for the 
2 
accomplishment of the objectives of this Act, including the Board's 
3 
operation; 
4 
g. Create technical panels, working groups, or task forces that will assist the 
5 
Halal Board in the performance of its functions; 
6 
h. Investigate and make recommendations on complaints, controversies, or 
7 
disputes arising out of the implementation or enforcement of standards, 
8 
guidelines, rules and procedures adopted to promote and develop Halal 
9 
industries, the export of Halal products and the provision of Halal 
10 
processes and services; 
11 
i. 
Request the assistance and cooperation, of any department, bureau, 
12 
office, agency or instrumentality of the government, or private entities and 
13 
organizations in the implementation of its functions and the attainment of 
14 
the objectives of this Act, including the carrying out of recommendations as 
15 
a result of investigations and studies made pursuant to paragraphs g and h 
16 
hereof; and 
17 
j. 
Perform such other powers and function as may be prescribed by law, or , 
18 
may be necessary, incidental, or proper to its mandate 
19 
SEC 7. Composition of the Board. - The Halal Board shall be composed of: 
20 
a. The Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as Chairman; 
21 
b. The Secretary of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) as 
22 
Vice-Chairman; 
23 
c. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA); 
24 
d. The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH); 
25 
e. The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); 
26 
f. The Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA); 
27 
g. The Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT); 
28 
h. The Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP); 
5 


1 
i. 
The Chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA); and 
2 
j. 
Two (2) Muslim Filipino professionals from the academe, law, industry, or 
3 
food science who have experience in Halal industry development, to be 
4 
appointed by the President from at least four (4) nominees recommended 
5 
by 
Muslim 
Filipino 
people's 
organizations 
and 
non-government 
6 
organizations. 
7 
The two Muslim professionals shall serve for a term of three (3) years, and 
8 
may be reappointed once. 
9 
The ex officio members of the Halal Board may designate their respective 
10 
alternates who shall be at least Bureau Director in rank and their acts shall be 
11 
considered the acts of their principals 
12 
SEC. 8. Secretariat of the Halal Board. - The DTI Secretary, as Chairman of 
13 
the Halal Board, shall establish an inter-agency secretariat from the different bureaus 
14 
of the DTI concerned with Halal. export development, the NCMF, DA and DOH. The 
15 
Secretariat shall be headed by the Director of the Export Marketing Bureau. For this 
16 
purpose, the Export Marketing Bureau shall be strengthened and is hereby 
17 
authorized to create a section that will serve as the nucleus of the Secretariat of the 
18 
Halal Board. 
19 
The Secretaries of NCMF, DA and DOH shall assign technical staff of their 
20 
offices as staff of the Secretariat. Other member agencies shall provide additional 
21 
staff support upon the determination of the necessity by the Chairman and conformity 
22 
of the Halal Board. 
23 
SEC. 9. Accreditation of Halal Certification Bodies. -
As the agency 
24 
mandated to handle the accreditation of certification bodies, inspection bodies, and 
25 
testing and calibration laboratories, the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) is 
26 
hereby empowered to (a) formulate accreditation policies and guidelines which shall 
27 
govern the accreditation of Halal certification bodies; and (b) grant or deny 
6 


1 
accreditation of Halal certification bodies and suspend or withdraw such accreditation 
2 
in accordance with established policies and guidelines. 
3 
In the formulation of accreditation policies and guidelines, and in the 
4 
performance of its accreditation function, the PAB shall consult and, when necessary, 
5 
collaborate with the Halal Board, its member agencies, and Halal industry 
6 
stakeholders. 
7 
SEC. 10. Philippine National Standards for Halal. - The development of 
8 
Philippine National Standards for Halal shall be the mandate of the following 
9 
standard setting agencies: 
10 
a. Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards 
11 
(BAFS) - for primary and post-harvest foods; 
12 
b. Department of Health -
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -
for 
13 
processed and pre-packaged foods, drugs and cosmetics; and 
14 
c. Department of Trade and Industry - Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) 
15 
- for non-food products aside from drugs and cosmetics. 
16 
Other products, processes and services that would necessitate the 
17 
development of the corresponding Philippine National Standards for Halal which are 
18 
not covered by the above agencies shall be assigned by the Halal Board to 
19 
appropriate government agencies. 
20 
SEC. 11. Export and Trade Regulation of Halal Products, Processes and 
21 
Services. - The following conditions shall apply in the export and trade of Halal 
22 
products, processes and services: 
23 
a. All Philippine products that will be exported as Halal, and processes and 
24 
services whose outputs or benefits shall accrue or flow outside of the 
25 
Philippine territory, shall (i) undergo certification from an accredited Halal 
26 
certification body, (ii) comply with the appropriate Philippine National 
27 
Standards for Halal as developed, or with international or foreign standards 
28 
recognized, by standard setting agencies identified or mandated under 
7 


1 
Section 10 of this Act, and (iii) be registered with the national regulatory 
2 
agency concerned; 
3 
b. The Philippine Halal Logo, with the permission of the relevant regulatory 
4 
agency, shall be affixed or used by producers, manufacturers, processors, 
5 
traders, exporters, and service providers on their products, packaging, 
6 
letterheads, brochures, leaflets and other forms of media after complying 
7 
with the conditions set in paragraph a hereof; 
8 
c. Halal certification of products, processes and services for domestic 
9 
consumption or use is voluntary on the part of the producer, manufacturer, 
10 
trader, retailer, or service provider; and 
11 
d. Producers, manufacturers, traders, retailers, and service providers catering 
12 
the domestic market and have undergone voluntary certification from 
13 
accredited Halal certification bodies may apply and be granted permission 
14 
to use the Philippine Halal Logo on their products, establishments, or 
15 
facilities. 
16 
SEC. 12. Export Promotion. - The DTI, particularly the Export Marketing 
17 
Bureau, in coordination with DA, DOH, and other concerned government agencies, 
18 
shall enhance the capabilities and global competitiveness of existing and potential 
19 
exporters of Halal products, processes and services, through business matching; 
20 
provision of trade and market information; organization of trade fairs and business 
21 
missions; conduct of seminars, workshops, conferences and symposium on export-
22 
related subjects, including export documentation and procedures; product design and 
23 
development; market consultancy; and product conSUltancy. 
24 
To assist exporters find new and expand existing markets for Philippine Halal 
25 
products, processes and services, the DTI and DA shall task their Foreign Trade 
26 
Service Corps and Foreign Agriculture Service Corps, respectively, to conduct 
27 
commercial intelligence works and marketing activities. In addition, the DTI, together 
28 
with the NCMF and DFA, shall pursue the recognition of accredited Halal certification 
8 


1 
bodies and certified Halal products, processes and services by accreditation and 
2 
certification bodies of other countries. 
3 
SEC. 13. Infrastructure Support and Incentives. - To enhance the growth of 
4 
Halal industries and assist farmers and producers in complying with the relevant 
5 
Halal standards, the govemment, especially the DA, shall provide andfor upgrade 
6 
necessary common service facilities such as slaughterhouses, warehouses, 
7 
refrigeration facilities, and laboratory facilities and equipment, in strategic production, 
8 
processing and manufacturing areas. 
9 
The Board of Investments, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and other 
10 
investment promotion agencies are hereby mandated to promote the growth of Halal 
11 
industries in the different economic zones and strategic locations in the country. They 
12 
shall, as their charters allow, grant fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to attract 
13 
investments in pioneering and essential industries to increase exports of Halal 
14 
products or as raw materials or ingredients in the production of Halal products. 
15 
SEC. 14. Institutional and Human Resource Development. -
The DTI, 
16 
NCMF, DA, DOH, DOST, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical 
17 
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), state universities and colleges 
18 
(SUCs), certification bodies, the private sector, and Muslim Filipino organizations 
19 
shall establish and implement an institutional and human resource development 
20 
program for Halal industry development, which shall include, but not limited to: 
21 
a. Capacity building for producers, manufacturers and processors to enable 
22 
them to comply with certification standards, including knowledge on 
23 
facilities upgrading and retrofitting, adoption of accepted manufacturing 
24 
practices, product and packaging development, marketing and product 
25 
distribution, and business enterprise development; 
26 
b. Skills trainings for Halal industry workers, farmers, fishermen, and 
27 
producers to actively contribute in productivity, the practice of good 
9 


1 
agricultural, animal husbandry 
and manufacturing practices, and 
2 
compliance to food safety, health, hygiene and sanitation standards; 
3 
c. Scholarship program for the underprivileged but deserving college and post 
4 
graduate students who are taking up courses in relevant field of disciplines 
5 
in SUCs which have programs in agriculture and fisheries; and for 
6 
technical- vocational courses for farmers, fishermen, farm technicians, and 
7 
skilled workers in processing and manufacturing plants producing or 
8 
providing Halal products, processes and services; 
9 
d. Formulation and implementation of competency standards and training 
10 
regulations for technical vocational education and training for the Halal 
11 
industry by the TESDA; and 
12 
e. Upgrading of facilities, faculty development and strengthening of the on-
13 
the-job training program of higher education institutions in Halal technology 
14 
and standards towards the build-up of competent graduates needed by 
15 
Halal industries. 
16 
SEC. 15. Research, Development and Extension (ROE). - The DTI, DA, 
17 
DOH, DOST, CHED, state universities and colleges and private organizations shall 
18 
formulate and implement a national research, development and extension program to 
19 
develop, propagate, or commercialize products and technologies and to improve and 
20 
expand the number of Halal products, processes and services. 
21 
State universities and colleges with the capability to support RDE for Halal 
22 
shall be identified and assisted by CHED, in coordination with the DOST, DA, DTI 
23 
and DOH, the private sector, and Muslim Filipino organizations to become centers of 
24 
development and excellence in Halal. 
25 
The DOST shall upgrade the capability of the PAB, BPS, FDA, BAFS, other 
26 
regulatory agencies, Halal certification bodies, producers, manufacturers and service 
27 
providers in ensuring integrity and compliance to standards by imparting scientific 
10 


1 
and technical knowledge on Halal standards and in conducting laboratory analyses 
2 
through its Philippine National Halal Laboratory and Science Center. 
3 
SEC. 16. Applicability of Fair Trade, Consumer Protection and Copyright 
4 
Laws and Regulatory Agency Charters. - The relevant provisions of fair trade, 
5 
consumer protection and copyright laws, and their implementing rules or orders, as 
6 
well as the charters of regulatory and standard setting agencies shall be applied in 
7 
the implementation of this Act to ensure compliance with Philippine National 
8 
Standards on Halal and the use of the Philippine Halal Logo. Nothing herein shall be 
9 
construed as limiting any department, agency or bureau from imposing, applying or 
10 
enforcing the necessary fines and penalties under these laws. 
11 
The appropriate agencies of the DTI, NCMF, DA, and DOH shall conduct 
12 
consumer protection and advocacy programs to create awareness among consumers 
13 
on Halal products, processes and services, and enable them to determine and 
14 
complain unfair trade practices. 
15 
SEC. 17. Authority to Receive Donations and/or Grants. - The Halal Board 
16 
is hereby authorized to accept grants, contributions, endowments, bequests, from 
17 
local and foreign sources in support of the development and growth of Philippine 
18 
Halal industries, including the development of Philippine National Standards for Halal, 
19 
institutional development of certification bodies, producers, manufacturers and 
20 
service providers, and consumer advocacy campaigns: Provided, that such donations 
21 
shall not be used to fund personal services and other operating expenses of the 
22 
Halal Board. 
23 
SEC. 18. Appropriations. - The sum of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,OOO,OOO.OO) is 
24 
hereby appropriated for the initial year of implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such 
25 
amount as may be necessary for the continuous operation of the Halal Board and the 
26 
implementation of the Program shall be included in the annual General 
27 
Appropriations Act. 
11 


1 
SEC. 19. Transitory Provisions. -
The Philippine Halal Promotion, 
2 
Development and Accreditation Board, under the National Commission on Muslim 
3 
Filipinos, is hereby dissolved. All Halal promotion and development records of the 
4 
Board shall be transferred to the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion 
5 
Board, while accreditation records shall be transferred to the PAB. 
6 
SEC. 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -
The Halal Board, in 
7 
consultation with concerned government agencies, Muslim Filipino organizations, and 
8 
Halal industry stakeholders, shall issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations of 
9 
this Act within ninety (90) days starting from the effectivity of this Act. 
10 
SEC. 21. Amendatory and Repealing Clause. - Section 8, paragraph (h) of 
11 
Republic Act No. 9997, otherwise known as the "National Commission on Muslim 
12 
Filipinos Act of 2009," is hereby amended to read, as follows: 
13 
"Assist in the formulation and attainment of the objectives, 
14 
targets, strategies and activities of the Philippine Halal Export 
15 
Development and Promotion Program." 
16 
All other laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and regulations or part or 
17 
parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified 
18 
or amended accordingly. 
19 
SEC. 22. Separability Clause. -
If any prOVision of this Act is declared 
20 
unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full 
21 
force and effect. 
22 
SEC. 23. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
23 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
12