In a historic cultural development, the city of Manila is set to unveil its first-ever “Halal Town”, a dedicated district designed to showcase and celebrate Islamic heritage, with a special focus on halal-certified cuisine and traditional Muslim culture.
The initiative, which has received full backing from Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, aims to create a vibrant hub that caters to the city’s Muslim community while fostering deeper cultural understanding across religious lines. Speaking during a high-level meeting with the Regional Director of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Dimapuno Datu Ramos Jr., on Friday, August 29, 2025, the mayor expressed his administration’s commitment to inclusivity and cultural preservation.
Modelled after the successful examples of Chinatown and Koreatown in the Philippine capital, the proposed Halal Town will not only house halal-certified restaurants but also serve as a cultural and economic platform for Muslim-owned enterprises. The district is expected to host religious and cultural festivals, provide employment opportunities, and act as a showcase for authentic halal cuisine, traditional arts, crafts, and dress.
To maintain standards and build consumer trust, Mayor Domagoso also announced plans to establish a halal certification system for restaurants and food vendors within the district. This system will ensure that meals served meet globally accepted halal requirements, thereby promoting both authenticity and quality.
Stakeholders have hailed the project as a welcome development, especially within a diverse city like Manila where cultural representation has become increasingly important. Observers note that this move could also position the Philippines as a more welcoming destination for Muslim tourists from across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The “Halal Town” project is widely seen as a progressive step towards strengthening national unity through cultural recognition, and enhancing the economic inclusion of the Muslim community in the country’s capital.