Marcos vetoes bill to designate Pampanga as ‘culinary capital’
Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vetoed a bill seeking to declare Pampanga as the country's “culinary capital” to avoid discrimination on cuisines of other regions.
The measure would recognize the province’s contribution to the “dynamic and rich culinary history of the country.”
In his letter to Congress, Marcos questioned the lack of historical basis and thorough study for the declaration.
“Ang atin pong bawat rehiyon po ay may kanya-kanyang kultura, may kanya-kanyang kagalingan,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing on Thursday, March 20.
“Kung lalabas po na may pipilitin po na isa lamang na rehiyon na parang siya po iyong pinakamasarap, or pinakamagaling, pinakamaganda baka po maisip ng ibang tao, especially iyong mga dayuhan na nais pumunta sa Pilipinas, isiping iisa lang na rehiyon ang maaari nilang puntahan at sasabihing pinakamaganda at pinakamasarap na pagkain na local food,” Castro explained.
[Translation: Each region has its own culture and proficiency. But if it would come out that only one region has the most flavorful and best cuisine, then Filipinos and tourists would think they can only visit one region with the best local food.]
The bill stated that the Department of Tourism would feature and promote the central Luzon province as “Culinary Capital of the Philippines” in all its regional and national promotion programs.
Castro said the veto recognized the uniqueness of different cuisines across the country.
“Hindi naman para po hindi paniwalaan na masarap o maganda ang kultura ng Pampanga pero para po kilalanin ang buong rehiyon, ang bawat rehiyon sa kanilang kagalingan,” she added.
[Translation: Not to doubt Pampanga’s culture but to recognize the whole region and each region for their excellence.]
Castro also said Marcos would also veto similar bills in the future.
Angeles City in Pampanga was hailed as Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination at the World Culinary Awards Gala Ceremony 2024.
In 2024, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said her agency is developing roadmaps on culture-based tourism, including on food and gastronomy.
