HALAL INDUSTRY RISING IN COTABATO CITY, BARMM HALAL INDUSTRY RISING IN COTABATO CITY, BARMM

COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) anticipates an upswing in investments in the Halal food industry in the region, propelled by the successful opening of a new Halal restaurant on April 24, at Timako Hill in Barangay Kalangan II, in this city.

BBOI Chairperson Mohammad Pasigan said, “the opening of this Halal restaurant marks the beginning of a potentially huge market, fueled by a large, fast-growing population of Muslims in the city and in the region who are looking for products and services aligned with their Islamic way of life.”

He further stressed, “this move to adopt the Halal standard will allow the investors the opportunity to raise

Former info officer now DOLE-12 regional director

By Edwin O. Fernandez

KORONADAL CITY — Starting as information officer assigned to various regional offices across the country, an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Soccsksargen region rose from the ranks and returned here as the regional director.

Joel M. Gonzales, newly designated DOLE-12 regional director, today begins his journey in government service as the highest labor official in the Soccsksargen region, promoting close collaboration among workers, employers, and different government agencies, in addressing labor and employment issues in the region.

Co-workers and former colleagues at the regional office here welcomed Gonzales. His first employer was DOLE12 as information officer when the office was still in Cotabato City about 35 years ago.

Gonzales, who previously served as the Regional Director of DOLE Region 2, has replaced former Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante who retired after more than four decades of service to the agency.

The welcome party was attended by heads of the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) 12, including those in the Department of Migrant Workers

DID YOU KNOW? Labor Day

(DMW) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

DOEL-12 Assistant Regional Director Arlene R. Bisnon recounted the years Gonzales started his career with the department as an information officer and rose from the ranks.

“With your intelligence, vibrancies, and leadership, DOLE 12 will soar higher. You have a family here that will work with you, welcome home,” ARD Bisnon said.

Gonzales, in his speech, has highlighted the Labor Secretary’s call for meritocracy, accountability, responsibility, and competence among others.

“It is not easy to cascade our objectives down the line unless we are organized, we are one. Let us begin with the end in mind; we have to change lives for the better,” he added.

RD Gonzales brings with him a wealth of experience in labor and employment issues and a strong commitment to uphold the rights and welfare of workers and employers in the region.

He vowed to continue industrial peace in the region and addressed labor issues via diplomatic means to come with win-win solutions acceptable to all stakeholders.

Philippines Labor Day is celebrated annually on May 1 to celebrate hardworking Filipinos across the country. In Filipino, it is known as ‘Araw ng mga Manggagawa’. People in the Philippines relax and spend the day with their family and friends. These activities draw attention to their complaints, which include the minimum wage, inhumane working conditions, and other issues that undermine the rights of employees. Every hardworking Filipino is celebrated on this day, no matter their job.

the standard of halal foods and further strengthen the perception and market share of halal products in the regional food trade.”

Locals from this city and nearby towns can now enjoy the beach-type ambiance and newly-opened ‘Timako Bay Seafood Resto’, a Halal restaurant that serves local seafood dishes, Maguindanaon delicacies, and offers catering services with a function hall that can accommodate a

Prayers, native delicacies highlight Eid event

AS the annual Ramadhan closed — a month when Muslims observe daily fasting and overall selfrestraint to nurture spirituality — a big celebration known as the Eid’l Fit’r was held last weekend, April 22, with prayers for unity and diverse food at the center of the festivities.

“As we celebrate this

By John Felix Unson

day, let us remember the true message of Ramadhan. Let us reaffirm our commitment to the tenets of mercy, patience, and charity that have been nurtured in us all during this holy month,” Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said during Saturday’s Eid celebration at the Bangsamoro government center in Cotabato City.

Mr. Ebrahim also reiterated his call for continued unity as the Muslim-majority region in southern Philippines pursues peace and development alongside the Christian and indigenous people of the Bangsamoro.

“Let us all work together to build a community based on justice, equality, and respect for all, regardless of

NoCot villages get aid direct from BARMM

By Nash B. Maulana

WHAT used to be “isolated” barangays that voted to join the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2019 are now in a better position receiving support directly from the source, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim said.

At the ceremonial turnover of farm machineries Monday, Ebrahim told farmer-recipients that they are in more “advantageous” situation receiving aid directly from the BARMM government, than they would have been under provincial or municipal local government units (LGUs).

Ebrahim said BARMM has allocated P 5 billion for a Special Development Fund (SDF) in its annual budget, with which the regional government procured the tractor units and trailerdiscs mechanized plow, harvesters and transplanting equipment for the recipient farming communities of Midsayap Municipal Cluster I and I in North Cotabato.

BARMM Interior and Local P11