Marcos vetoes bill declaring Pampanga as PH culinary capital

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has vetoed a proposed measure seeking to declare Pampanga province as the ''Culinary Capital of the Philippines.''

''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,'' Marcos said in his veto message.

He is concerned that the measure would cause negative cultural implications, regional bias, and loss of diversity.

Further, Marcos emphasized that one must travel in the Philippine Islands to ''identify the tastes and flavors that express our culture.''

In a separate briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the measure would be discriminatory if passed into law.

''Opo. 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,'' Castro said.

(Yes. The bill was good but it could create discrimination. Each and every region has a distinct culture.) 

''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,'' she added. 

(If we choose only one region that has the best cuisine or the most beautiful, maybe other people, especially foreigners, would think that there's only one region that they can visit, which they can say has the best local food.) 

On social media, Secretary General of the UNESCO National Commission Ivan Henares, expressed hope that "our Kabalens understand the wisdom behind this veto."

"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," wrote Henares who is also a commissioner at the 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'," he added.

Pampanga is well-known for its delicious and innovative food. Pampanga's Angeles City, the birthplace of sisig, was named Asia's Best Emerging Culinary City Destination at the World Culinary Awards Gala Ceremony 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

— Anna Bajo/LA/ VAL, GMA Integrated News