THE FIRST quarter of 2026 is not yet over, yet the Philippine halal industry has already secured another important win in sustaining its reputation as a Muslim-minority, non-OIC country with a significant presence in the global halal economy. As the ASEAN Chair for 2026, recent developments signal that local halal stakeholders continue to gain traction within some of the most competitive regulatory environments in Southeast Asia.
One of the most notable milestones is the expansion of Philippine access to the Indonesian halal market. In November 2025, the Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines (IDCP) secured accreditation from Indonesia’s Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal (BPJPH). This was followed earlier this February by the Halal Development Institute of the Philippines (HDIP), which also obtained recognition from the same regulatory authority.
These recognitions are premised on the ongoing halal regulatory reforms implemented in Indonesia. Specifically, in 2014, Indonesia enacted Law No. 33, which transferred halal regulatory authority — including the recognition of overseas halal certification bodies — from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to BPJPH.
The importance of these developments lies in the strategic weight of the Indonesian market. Indonesia remains the largest halal consumer market in the world, and its halal regulatory framework follows the Shafi’i school of Islamic jurisprudence, widely regarded as one of the strictest standards governing halal compliance. Recognition by Indonesian authorities, therefore, reflects not only market access but also a level of trust in the integrity of Philippine certification systems.
Moreover, the accreditation of both IDCP and HDIP expands the choices available to local exporters seeking certification, reducing dependence on a single institution while enhancing industry flexibility. Seen from a broader perspective, this development strengthens the Philippines’ institutional capacity to support exporters navigating complex halal requirements across Southeast Asia.
The implications extend beyond Indonesia itself. Certifications issued by IDCP and HDIP are likewise recognized in other key halal markets in the region, including Malaysia, Brunei, and Thailand. Both organizations are also active members of global halal regulatory networks, namely, the World Halal Council (WHC) and the World Halal Food Council (WHFC), respectively. As I have explained in previous columns, global halal trade operates largely through mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) among halal certification bodies rather than through formal government-to-government agreements. Through these networks, certification issued in one jurisdiction can facilitate access to multiple markets simultaneously.
In practical terms, securing certification from IDCP or HDIP not only opens doors to Indonesia — it potentially connects exporters to a broader network of Muslim markets worldwide. With WHC’s more than 20 members and WHFC’s expanding global membership, Philippine-based certifiers serve as entry points to a wider regulatory ecosystem. In fact, IDCP has long provided certification services to manufacturers abroad, including firms based in Japan and parts of Latin America, illustrating how Philippine-based halal certifiers have already functioned as facilitators of cross-border halal trade.
Taken together, these developments reinforce the country’s emerging position as an alternative halal hub in the region. While the Philippines remains a Muslim-minority state, its certification infrastructure, regulatory credibility, and growing network connections continue to position it as a strategic intermediary within the global halal value chain.
