Muslim consumers and travelers in Davao City can now more easily find Halal food options as Grab Philippines and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Region 11 (NCMF 11) strengthen efforts to make the city’s Halal food scene more accessible.
The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday, September 9, aimed at improving the visibility of Halal-certified and Muslim-owned food establishments on GrabFood.
The partnership includes enhanced Halal search and filtering features on the Grab app, allowing users to more conveniently identify food establishments that cater to their dietary requirements.
Grab Mindanao Regional Head Paul Manapat said the initiative is designed to build greater trust among consumers while creating a more inclusive food delivery ecosystem.
“Today’s launch of the enhanced Halal search and filtering features on the Grab app is rooted in a single driving purpose: building trust and stronger communities,” Manapat said.
Grab currently lists 17 Halal and Muslim-owned merchants in Davao City. Manapat said making these establishments easier to find could also help local businesses reach a wider customer base.
He recalled hearing about Muslim travelers who visited Davao City and brought their own kitchen equipment because they were unsure whether food establishments offered genuinely Halal options.
“That underscores exactly why we are here today,” he said.
NCMF 11 Regional Director Arch. Sherrila Porza-Sawah said the partnership stemmed from a question raised by a Malaysian visitor interested in Davao’s potential as a Halal hub.
During a discussion on Halal trade and tourism, the visitor reportedly opened the Grab app and asked why Halal-certified dining options were difficult to find on the platform.
For Porza-Sawah, the question exposed a digital gap that could affect the experience of Muslim travelers looking for convenient and trustworthy food choices.
She then sought a meeting with Grab Philippines, leading to discussions that eventually resulted in the partnership.
Under the collaboration, NCMF 11 and Grab will work toward providing dedicated and verified search options for Halal-certified and Muslim-owned establishments.
The initiative is expected to support Davao City’s efforts to strengthen its position as a Halal-friendly destination while giving local businesses opportunities to reach more consumers.
For Grab and NCMF 11, the partnership is not simply about adding another feature to a food delivery app. It is also about providing Muslim consumers with greater confidence, transparency and convenience when choosing where to eat or order food.
