Poor Lanao families given free Halal beef
By Mike U. Crismundo published 1 year ago
Original Article Source: The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online
At least 9,600 poor families received free Halal beef during the three-day “Cattle Slaughtering and Meat Distribution Festival” in Lanao del Norte province.
The three-day festival took place in the towns of Sultan Naga Dimaporo and Balo-i.
Karim Ali, a corn farmer in Balo-i town, is one of the recipients of Halal beef distributed by the Turkish Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (TCCP) and the provincial government of Lanao del Norte.
The beef distribution was also made during celebration of Edi’l Adha or Festival of Sacrifice of Islam last year.
“This is a big help to our family. This gift from our Muslim brothers in Turkey and the provincial government will already last us for a week,” Ali said.
The Ali family is only one of 9,600 families that received 2.5 kilos each from the Provincial Community Affairs Office (PCAO) under Chief Officer Lyndon Calica, which was earlier tasked to identify the receipt families of the festival.
“We are distributing the beef to all indigent families in these areas regardless of their religion or ethnic background,” explained TCCP Executive Vice-President Ferhat Kazkondu.
TCCP has allotted R2.8 million for the purchase of 200 heads of cattle to be distributed in the Lanao provinces.
Another 600 heads of cattle have also been allotted for the Zamboanga peninsula.
The cattle that were slaughtered in the festival were at least two years old as prescribed by Islamic teachings.
“Our poor people, particularly those in far-flung areas are very happy to receive the beef,” Lanao del Norte Gov. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo said.
“We are motivated to make a provincial program for the Edi’l Adha to supplement this laudable program of our Turkish brothers,” added the young and workaholic provincial chief executive of Lanao del Norte.