ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Philippine Halal Accreditation Board has urged halal-certifying bodies to secure accreditation from it in order to make sure that proper standards are enforced.

Aleem Walid Abubakar, the board’s chairman, said they are targeting at least 12 existing halal-certifying bodies recognized in the next few months. "We are not compelling them to apply with us and be accredited, but it is better for all these bodies to follow the national standards for halal," he said in an interview.

The board is recognized by the government as the sole authority in the Philippines to accredit halal certifiers, or those who check if a product passed the strict food preparation procedures prescribed by Islam.

The Philippines now has over 50 halal-certifying bodies and individuals. Mr. Abubakar said the board has accredited only two certifiers, based in Maguindanao and Davao.

The call came as the departments of Trade, Agriculture, and Health last Monday started conducting public hearings on the implementing guidelines of the National Halal Standard for food, which is scheduled to be implemented early next year. — D. T. Wee