Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) was honored to welcome Dr. Rody P. Garcia, Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office XII (CHEDRO XII), in a strategic engagement focused on advancing Halal education, certification, and industry readiness in the region. During the visit, Dr. Garcia conveyed strong institutional support for the expansion of Halal-oriented training and certification initiatives, emphasizing their relevance not only to industry professionals but also to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) seeking to align with global standards and emerging international markets.

Implemented under the HCCCI Adult Learning Institute (HALI), the Halal Executive and Halal certification initiatives are designed to equip professionals, business operators, academic leaders, and industry practitioners with in-depth competencies in Halal principles, governance, and supply chain management. The program ensures compliance with internationally recognized Halal standards, while also addressing practical operational requirements across food processing, logistics, and service sectors. These initiatives directly support workforce upskilling, institutional capacity building, and enterprise readiness within the growing Halal economy.

Central to the success of the initiative is HCCCI’s close collaboration with Rell and Renn Fishing Corporation (RRFC), a long-standing industry partner and sister company. RRFC provides industry-based insights, operational expertise, and real-world applications of Halal compliance, strengthening the relevance and credibility of the training. This academic–industry partnership ensures that Halal education under HALI is grounded in actual production, processing, and quality assurance practices, bridging the gap between theory and industry implementation.

The initiative further strengthens multi-sectoral collaboration among CHED Region XII, industry partners, Halal experts, and academic institutions, reinforcing HCCCI’s role as a convenor of education, industry, and policy. Through this partnership, HCCCI supports HEIs and enterprises in building Halal-compliant systems, expanding market access, and enhancing institutional readiness for international engagement.

Aligned with HCCCI’s internationalization strategy, the Halal initiatives under HALI respond to increasing demand from ASEAN markets, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia, where Halal standards are integral to trade, education, and industry practices. By integrating Halal education into its adult learning framework, HCCCI positions itself as a regional hub for inclusive, globally responsive, and industry-aligned Halal capacity building—contributing to regional development, international competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth.