R&D consortium pushes ‘halalization’ of ZamPen native chicken

By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct 28 (PIA) -- The Regional Research and Development (R&D) Consortium here is pushing for the ‘halalization’ of Zamboanga Peninsula native chicken during the Regional Research, Development and Innovation Committee (RRDICom) 3rd Quarter meeting today, October 28.

This, as the whole committee wants native chicken to be accepted by any religious laws and available for all by labelling it as ‘halal’ product.

“There is really great potential to make the supply and demand of the halal native chickens better and more comprehensive,” said Dr. Teresita Narvaez of Western Mindanao State University.

To note, Zampen native chicken is a product of the purification process of ‘Joloano’ chicken and considered as one of the region’s championed and/or major products.

The consortium will also be taking up steps in the propagation and commercialization of the halal native chicken in the region.

“With all the initiatives and support of the sector, we can make the ZamPen native chicken as an industry in the region,” Dr. Narvaez said.

More so, the group emphasized the inclusion of bamboo in the research and development priorities as well as closely working on to meet the criteria in making ‘bamboo’ as regional champion product.

The Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance Inc. has a nursery of different species of bamboo that is currently developing and per report, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been planting bamboo since 2013 establishing the Bamboo plantation through the National Greening Program from year 2013 to 2020.

“The regional championed products aim to provide sustainable livelihood to rural communities in Zamboanga Peninsula,” Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-9 Regional Director Martin A. Wee disclosed. (NBE/EDT/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)