Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso is pushing for the creation of a dedicated “Halal Town” district in the city, framing it as part of a broader effort to deepen Manila’s engagement with the Muslim community.
The mayor floated the concept as the city continues expanding initiatives aimed at strengthening Muslim representation and inclusion, following earlier projects such as the establishment of Manila’s first Islamic Cemetery and the formation of the Muslim Consultative Council (MCC).
Domagoso initially raised the proposal during a courtesy meeting on August 11 with His Excellency Tun Seri Setia (Dr.) Haji Mohd Ali Bin Mohd Rustam, Governor of the State of Malacca, Malaysia, and His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of the Philippines.
The plan is expected to encourage wider access to halal food options in Manila, including ensuring that ingredients and preparation methods meet Islamic dietary requirements. It also includes an added layer of restaurant certification to give diners greater assurance that halal claims are properly verified.
Further discussions on the project continued when Domagoso met with National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Regional Director Dimapuno Datu Ramos Jr. on Friday, August 29, to go over more details about the proposed district.
While the proposal signals a new direction for Manila’s tourism and cultural planning, halal dining is already well established across Metro Manila. Restaurants offering Middle Eastern and halal-friendly food have long been part of the capital’s dining scene, including long-running spots such as Shawarma Snack Center in Ermita, Arya Persian Restaurant with its multiple branches, and New Bombay, known for dishes such as Lamb Kebab Masala.
Similar outreach efforts have also been seen in other local government units, particularly as more Palestinian refugees and Filipino-Palestinian return-migrants have arrived in the Philippines amid the ongoing siege on Gaza. In Quezon City, a small community known as Little Gaza has emerged, made up of around a dozen families who have been welcomed by local residents, schools, and the city government.
