Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman met Monday morning, November 3, to discuss the city government’s proposed Halal Town development and the planned rehabilitation of the Golden Mosque Complex in Quiapo.
The projects are being prepared in time for the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Summit next year.
Speaking before city officials and department heads at Manila City Hall, Domagoso welcomed Pangandaman and her team from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), saying the meeting aimed to ensure alignment between the city government and the national government.
“We’re very happy to have a community where Christians and Muslims live together, grow up together, and do business together, in harmony and in a peaceful manner.”
The DBM chief commended Manila’s Halal Town concept and assured her agency’s readiness to provide support, especially as the national government also prepares for major rehabilitation work on the Golden Mosque.
“When I saw your project on TV, the Halal Town and taking care of our Muslim brothers and sisters in Manila, I was so happy and excited,” Pangandaman told the Mayor.
“Insha’Allah, we are happy that the UAE government is going to provide us funding para mapaganda yung Golden Mosque Complex.”
Pangandaman noted that the restoration initiative follows earlier instructions from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos to upgrade the historic site originally built during the time of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
According to Pangandaman, the envisioned rehabilitation aligns with Manila’s efforts to showcase religious coexistence and cultural tourism.
The DBM chief cited the strategic proximity of Quiapo Church and the Golden Mosque as symbols of unity.
Domagoso said Manila Vice Mayor Angela Lei “Chi” Atienza was earlier sent to Malaysia to study best practices in halal trade and urban management.
“For those who are Muslim, pwede silang pumunta dito; yung mga Katoliko naman, papasyal din dito. Then, there’s exchange, maganda po siya for tourism prospects, trade, work, jobs, livelihood, among others,” she added.
Domagoso, in response, thanked the DBM for its support and emphasized that the city’s Halal Town initiative is both a local livelihood program and a national economic opportunity.
“I was very excited to present our small effort in aligning the city’s goals with the national government — especially as we are hosting the ASEAN,” he said.
The Mayor shared that Vice Mayor Angela Lei “Chi” Atienza was earlier sent to Malaysia to study best practices in halal trade and urban management, following discussions with the Malaysian envoy and business leaders.
“They said it’s a billion-dollar industry,” Domagoso recounted. “Kailangan lang nating pinuhin para mas maganda, mas maayos, mas malinis, mas ligtas, at mas payapa ang paghahanapbuhay sa Maynila.”
He added that the city aims to balance economic activity and order by identifying specific zones for commerce and ensuring accessibility and safety for both vendors and visitors.
The Mayor said that Quiapo represents Manila’s cultural duality, and that the Halal Town project seeks to strengthen peaceful coexistence between communities.
“Subconsciously alam natin: Quiapo is Muslim, and Quiapo is Nazareno. Dalawang alam natin sa Quiapo,” Domagoso said.
“We’re very happy to have a community where Christians and Muslims live together, grow up together, and do business together, in harmony and in a peaceful manner,” he said.
Domagoso also thanked Pangandaman and the Marcos Jr. administration for their commitment to inclusive growth.
“With the help of Secretary Pangandaman and the national government through the leadership of President Marcos, malaking bagay ito para sa ating mga Muslim brothers and sisters,” he said.
