A food park designed to showcase the local flavors and cuisines of this province dubbed as the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines” officially opened on Tuesday.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC), in partnership with the provincial government and other agencies opened the “Mangan Tamu Pampanga Food Street” in this Freeport, highlighting home-grown recipes of Kapampangans.

CDC chairman Jose “Ping” de Jesus said the establishment of the food street is envisioned to contribute to the growth of tourism in the Freeport, especially now that it is being positioned as one of the premier Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibits (MICE) destinations in Southeast Asia.

“This facility goes to show that Clark Development Corporation, as well as the New Clark City, will become the primary and preferred destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibits or MICE not only for the Philippines but also for the rest of Southeast Asia,” De Jesus said.

Vice Governor Lilia Pineda said the food street will be a showcase of Pampanga for tourists coming from other parts of the country.

“Sana marami pang ganitong klase ng kainan dito sa ating probinsya dahil siguradong dudumugin ito ng mga taga Mindanao, Visayas at Luzon (I hope there will be more food streets here in our provinces because for sure, people from Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon will flock here),” she said.

Pineda said the plan of adding Halal-certified food on the roaster of menu at the food park will be on the pipeline.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo–Puyat said they will continue to support various projects on tourism development in this Freeport, while underscoring the advantages of the international airport here.

“Sa pag-implement ng aming mga projects dapat i-prioritize yung may international airport. Kaya dapat magbuhos ng pondo kung saan may international airport (In implementing our projects, priority must be given to those with international airport. Thus, funds should be poured there is an international airport). I’m very positive that Mangan Tamu will be successful,” Puyat said.

Also present during the event were CDC president and CEO Noel Manankil, former President and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Governor Dennis Pineda, CDC vice chairman Benjamin Defensor Jr., Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Vivencio Dizon, Major General Allen Paredes, commander of Clark Air Base’s Air Logistics Command, AFP.

Mangan Tamu Pampanga Food Street, which features more than 50 local concessionaires, including merchants of Comercio is open from 4 pm to 12 am every Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. (PNA)