Hindi nakalusot sa Palasyo ang panukalang batas na inaprubahan ng Kongreso para ideklara ang Pampanga bilang ''Culinary Capital of the Philippines," makaraang i-veto o hindi ito pirmahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. upang maging ganap na batas.
''However, while I recognize the noble intention of the authors, I cannot ignore the concerns regarding the declaration's lack of historical basis, the absence of a thorough study that shows key performance indicators for such designation, and the possibility that the bill may offend sensibilities in other provinces that are equally proud of their culinary contributions,'' paliwanag ni Marcos sa kaniyang veto message.
Nag-aalala rin ang pangulo na magdudulot ang panukala ng negatibong implikasyon sa kultura at pagkiling sa rehiyon.
"All our culinary variations reflect the rich cultural diversity of a group of people scattered among the Philippine islands. Although the Filipino is derived from a common racial stock and a shared history that gave us our identity, our terrains and ethnic characteristics gave us certain differences," dagdag pa sa mensahe.
Binigyang-diin di ni Marcos na kailangan maglakbay sa mga isla ng Pilipinas ''to identify the tastes and flavors that express our culture.''
Sa hiwalay na press briefing, sinabi ni Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro, na magiging discriminatory o may kikilingan ang panukala kapag naging ganap na batas.
''Maganda po kasi po iyong bill pero magki-create po kasi ito ng discrimination. Ang atin pong bawat rehiyon po ay may kaniya-kaniyang kultura, may kaniya-kaniyang kagalingan,'' ani Castro.
''Kung lalabas po na may pipiliin po na isa lamang na rehiyon na parang siya po iyong pinakamasarap, or pinakamagaling, pinakamaganda baka po maisip ng ibang tao specially 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 foods,'' paliwanag niya.
Sa social media post, umaasa si Secretary General of the UNESCO National Commission Ivan Henares, na mauunawaan ng mga "Kabalens" ang dahilan sa likot ng pasya na i-veto ang panukala.
"It is not saying that Kapampangan cuisine is not good. It just acknowledges that in a nation as diverse as ours, no one region can claim to have the best food. What l've realized from travelling the country is that our diversity is our strength," saad ni Henares na isa ring commissioner ng National Commission for Culture & Arts.
"We should not be competing with each other for bragging rights and empty titles. Focus on sustainable programs, not just trivial things. Let's determine 'key performance indicators' and work towards those. That goal is best encapsulated by Chef Jam Melchor, 'ensuring a stronger, more sustainable future for Filipino food and the communities that bring it to life'," dagdag niya. — Anna Bajo/FRJ, GMA Integrated News
