SENATORÂ Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla on Saturday encouraged his fellow Muslims in Manila’s Quiapo area to unite in cleaning up the district’s image – and they can do so by investing in the country’s growing halal industry.
During his visit to Quiapo Saturday morning, Padilla cited the big opportunities for the halal industry after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. promised to provide support and funding for it.
“Other people always say that Quiapo is messy; I’m going to come here, there’s nothing messy here. It’s just business here. So we should help Congressman (Joel Chua) clean up the bad image that is thrown at us (Many people perceive Quiapo as chaotic, but that was not the case when I came here. Quiapo is teeming with businesses. So we must help Congressman Joel Chua clean the bad image that others have made),” said Padilla.
He added the halal industry worldwide is now worth trillions of dollars. “Well, it was a lot of money back then. That’s how big the halal industry is. So my brothers, let’s remember this because it’s a priority of the government (That is how big the industry is. And we must keep this in mind because our government is prioritizing it),” he added.
He said the Department of Trade and Industry is providing funding for the halal industry, including for building slaughterhouses. He also said the industry has the support of countries like Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.
Padilla added halal also means Muslims must make sure their neighbors are safe. He promised to help Congressman Chua address the problems in Quiapo.
But Padilla also appealed again to his fellow Muslims to unite and not think of tribal and political differences. “We must all be Muslims first,” he said.
