The Department of Tourism-Region 3 (DOT3) has awarded two hotels here for passing the standard of a Halal-friendly hotel.
DOT3 Regional Director Richard Daenos, together with SBMA Tourism Manager Mary Jamelle Camba, handed the certificates of recognition to representatives of The Aurora Subic Hotel and The Mansion Garden Hotel during the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) flag-raising ceremony at the administration building on December 22, 2025.
Aurora General Manager Rhett M. Villaruz and Mansion Garden Hotel Operations Manager Sheanelle F. Calayag received the certificates for their compliance with the requirements of DOT Memorandum Circular 2024-003, which provides the Amended Guidelines for Recognizing Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments (MFAEs).
A Muslim-friendly accommodation offers prayer facilities (Qibla direction, mats, and prayer rooms), Halal food options (certified kitchens/ meals), and amenities such as water-friendly toilets and culturally sensitive staff training from official certifying bodies, including CrescentRating and local tourism departments.
Camba cited that the award is a testament to the capabilities of hotel establishments here in handling the various needs of tourists from different religious affiliations, adding that Freeport is a viable tourist destination for clientele from diverse cultures and beliefs.
She added that certain key features required by the DOT in Muslim-friendly establishments include dedicated prayer rooms, Qibla direction markers in rooms, prayer mats (Sejjadah), Quran available, Islamic TV channels, Halal-certified kitchens with separate utensils, and Halal minibar options, or menus clearly marking Halal dishes.
She also mentioned that Megaworld Hotels & Resorts was also certified under this guideline.
Other features include water-friendly toilets (bidet sprays/ water source for ablution/ Wudu), and staff trained in Muslim customs, availability of nearby mosque information, and culturally sensitive service. (MPD-SBMA)
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