ILOILO City – In line with the celebration of the Filipino Food Month this April, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 encourages the consuming public to patronize local food over imported ones.
The regional office officially opened yesterday the weeklong double activity – the Filipino Food Month and High Value Crops Week celebrations – at Robinsons Place Iloilo.
A local food exhibit joined by 16 exhibitors from various provinces highlights the celebration.
According to Maria Teresa Solis, chief of the DA-6 Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, the activity is not just about marketing local agriculture products but also advocating the importance and benefits of local food.
“Ang aton local food mga enriching ini sila and healthy unlike sa fastfood nga damu ingredients nga indi kinanglan samtang nagaluto. Kon ma-inform ta ang public kon ano ang benefits nga makuha sa aton local food, ma-open gid ang ila mind and will go back to natural food, especially ang ginaluto sa balay,” said Solis.
The agriculture officer noted many of the young generation nowadays have hypertension because of their unhealthy food intake.
“Kon pwede pa lang maski may edad na kita, wala kita sang (medicine) maintenance kay result man ina sang aton food intake since pagkabata pa naton. For our younger generation, dapat ma-change ang ila mindset; their food intake should be natural and healthy,” said Solis.
Meanwhile, in his message read by DA-6 officer-in-charge (OIC)-regional technical director Dominador A. Marquez, DA-6 OIC-regional executive director, Engr. Jose Albert A. Barrogo, emphasized the importance of the celebration and the need to showcase the region’s vast culinary traditions and treasures that should be appreciated, preserved and promoted to ensure transmission to future generations.
He noted this year’s theme, “Pagkaing Sariling Atin, Mahalin at Pagyamanin,” centers on the importance of indigenous ingredients and culinary dishes which are long before and are still abundant in the locality. He cited, among others, the lupo-lupo, takway, tambo, batwan, roselle, and libas wherein some of which are now slowly getting interest among budding chefs in the region.
The regional director also acknowledged the effort of renowned Ilonggo chef, Rafael “Tibong” Jardeleza Jr., and the Iloilo City Government through Mayor Jerry P. Treñas for publishing the Ilonggo Cuisine Heritage Cook Book.
The cook book pertains on indigenous recipes and cuisine which are popularly cooked by prominent Ilonggo chefs.
Barrogo believes this endeavor can create a demand and eventually market these indigenous vegetables and ingredients which are mostly produce by local farmers.
“It is now time to patronize our own local food, support our local farmers and be proud of these food for this symbolizes our identity as an Ilonggo,” said Barrogo.
He added that introducing indigenous food and recipes among tourists is one of the good start to sustain its production.
“We must love eating these indigenous vegetables and must make innovations to further develop and enhance its packaging, shelf-life and value-addition,” he added.
Meantime, for Marquez, this year’s celebration is not all about food but also a show of appreciation and gratefulness to all the farmers and fishermen.
“Paagi sa ila gakaon kita sang ginatawg healthy, nutritious kag safe nga pagkaon,” he said.
On the other hand, this year is the 27th anniversary of the implementation of Republic Act No. 7900, or the High Value Crops Development Act of 1995.
In line with this, Barrogo said Region 6 has intensified its interventions for the farmers.
He cited that last week, a total of P7.4 million worth of agricultural projects was turned over to the three clusters and farmers’ cooperatives and associations of Leon, Iloilo.
Three greenhouses worth P1 million each were also awarded to MATABANACO Cluster, Buga Farmers Association and Bucari Farmers Association to intensify their production of high-value crops in their area.
Leon town is one of the major suppliers of chopsuey and pakbet vegetables in the city and nearby municipalities and provinces.
Additional farm supplies of plastic mulch, PP twine, UV plastics and seedling trays were also given to three sister barangays of Camandag, Bobon and Bulwang.
“With these interventions, we assure that there will be enough supply of vegetables here and encourage more farmers to do the same,” Barrogo said./PN
