Taguig City Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga announced that a P30-million grant was earmarked by the Kingdom of Bahrain for the development of the Maharlika Trade Center, a multi-component commercial hub that will serve as the central market for Muslim products in Metro Manila.
Tiñga recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the Office of the President’s Urban Asset Reform Project Management Office, in coordination with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Department of Finance and Office of the Special Envoy to the Gulf Cooperation Council for the construction of this two-story structure.
"We will build a model Muslim community as we revitalize Maharlika, turn it into a trade and tourism center and bring back its old glory," Tiñga said.
The project intends to give livelihood opportunities to Muslim residents and improve not only the quality of their lives but also other Filipinos.
"This trade center will showcase authentic Muslim products not only from Mindanao but from other Arab and Muslim countries ranging from textiles, crafts, spices, novelty items and all sort of goods. It will also serve as a venue for people to learn more on the Muslim arts and culture," Tiñga stressed.
Phase 1 of the project involved the construction of the commercial building on a property donated by the National Housing Authority (NHA) to the city government which is expected to be completed in October this year.
Part of the attraction the Maharlika Trade Center will feature are restaurants serving only halal food and products. Halal is an Arabic word which means permitted or lawful. There are no restrictions on consumption or use of halal food.
Taguig Area 3 Satellite Office head April Al-Raschid, who has jurisdiction over FTI, Barangays Signal Village, Western Bicutan, Upper Bicutan and Maharlika, gave assurances that there will be transparency in the project. The project fund will be directly handled by UNDP as stipulated in an agreement signed by the Philippines and Bahrain.