The local government here is looking forward to enticing more tourists to revive its economy with its claim as the country’s food haven through a resolution passed by its Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).

“Iloilo City has a unique way of capturing the taste buds and the stomach of local and foreign tourists and continues to aim to give a meaningful and extraordinary experience of the Ilonggo cooking, leaving a unique gastronomic experience,” the resolution passed by the city council on November 9 said.

Councilor Rudolph Jeffrey Ganzon, in an interview on Thursday, said the resolution he authored is long overdue.

Ever since. he said Ilonggo cuisine and culture champion Rafael Jardeleza Jr. has been advocating for and promoting culinary heritage as part of the tourism industry.

Aside from this city’s famous La Paz batchoy and Pancit Molo, he said Ilonggos have other cuisines that they can be proud of such as its “KBL” Ilonggo stew (kadyos, baboy, langka) and laswa or “medley of vegetables”.

He said even Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat has recognized the uniqueness of the Ilonggo flavor, which really stood out when talking of Filipino food.

“This shows that we really deserve to declare Iloilo, not just Iloilo City because we also complement with the province, as the food haven,” he said.

He said the province through its Sangguniang Panlalawigan is also expected to pass its resolution for the same declaration.

He added that the declaration is very timely as the city slowly opens its economy.

Following the declaration, he said the next goal is for city tourism to come up with a lineup of programs and activities that will showcase the city as a “gastronomic hotspot” not only locally but globally.

“Our goal is to have Iloilo as a festival city, and a destination not just for places and heritage sites but also our culinary heritage,” he said. (PNA)