Duterte declares month of April as 'Filipino Food Month'

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared the month of April as "Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino" or "Filipino Food Month."

It was stated in Proclamation No. 469, signed by Duterte on April 13, that the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will lead the annual celebration.

READ: Buwan ng Abril, idineklara bilang "Filipino Food Month" o "Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino." | via @mamutuesday pic.twitter.com/7X4FFPIgWG

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) April 17, 2018

It noted that under the 1987 Constitution, "the State shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression and shall conserve, promote, popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage, and resources."

The Proclamation further said the country's vast culinary tradition and treasures must be "appreciated, preserved and promoted" to ensure their transmission to the next generations and to also support various industries, farmers and agricultural communities.

Under the National Culture Heritage Act of 2009, culinary tradition is recognized as part of cultural heritage which may be utilized to highlight a nation's character and foster national pride and sense of belonging.

The government is also obliged to provide support to agriculture through "appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial, production, marketing, and other support services," the Proclamation stated. — LA, GMA News