Grab Philippines and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos 11 (NCMF 11) have partnered to make Halal food options more accessible and easier to discover for Muslim consumers and visitors in Davao City.
The two organizations signed on Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen the visibility and accessibility of Halal-certified and Muslim-owned food establishments on GrabFood, with enhanced Halal search and filtering features now available on the platform.
Grab Mindanao Regional Head Paul Manapat said the initiative is anchored on building trust and 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 has 17 Halal and Muslim-owned merchants on its platform in Davao City, giving Muslim consumers more convenient access to food options that meet their dietary requirements.
Manapat recalled hearing about Muslim travelers visiting Davao City who would bring their own kitchen equipment because they were uncertain whether the food available locally was genuinely Halal.
“That underscores exactly why we are here today,” he said.
He stressed that the partnership with NCMF aims to improve the accuracy and reliability of information on Halal and Muslim-owned merchants listed on GrabFood.
Manapat said beyond consumer convenience, the initiative could also help local Halal businesses reach a wider market by making them easier to discover on the platform.
NCMF 11 Regional Director Arch. Sherrila Porza-Sawah, said the partnership was sparked by a simple question from a Malaysian visitor who was exploring Davao’s potential as a Halal hub.
She shared that during a discussion on the city’s prospects for Halal trade and tourism, the visitor opened Grab and asked: “Why can’t I find Halal-certified dining and food options in the Grab app?”
Porza-Sawah said the question highlighted a digital gap that could affect the experience of Muslim travelers seeking convenient and trustworthy food options.
She said she immediately requested for a meeting with Grab Philippines.
According to Porza-Sawah, the request led to discussions between NCMF and Grab, culminating in a partnership focused on creating dedicated and verified search options for Halal-certified food and Muslim-owned establishments.
The collaboration is expected to support Davao City’s growing ambition to position itself as a Halal-friendly destination for both domestic and international travelers while creating new opportunities for local businesses.
Manapat said the initiative goes beyond adding a new search filter, it seeks to give Muslim consumers greater trust, transparency and peace of mind when ordering food, while helping Halal businesses connect with more customers.
