BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental is expanding its markets for pigeon pea and lamb meat, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. disclosed.
“To those who want to buy kadyos (pigeon pea), the province is capable of supplying any amount that you need,” Marañon said on Day 2 of the “Kaon Na ’Ta” Food and Travel Festival.
Kadyos is one of the three main ingredients of the popular soup dish KBL or “Kadyos, Baboy (pork), Langka (jackfruit).”
“When I looked for the kadyos, I saw only about five pieces in the bowl,” Marañon quipped, recalling a time he dined in a restaurant in Manila eating KBL.
At the time, the governor said, he realized there is a huge demand for the ingredient, especially in Metro Manila.
The province is now ready to supply kadyos to restaurants in Negros Occidental and other food establishments across the country, he said.
“More than the (sufficient) supply, the province can ensure the quality and freshness of its kadyos,” he added.
The provincial government has organized farmers in the 5th District to plant pigeon peas, Marañon further disclosed.
In addition, Negros Occidental is also capable of supplying lamb products, he said.
Taking advantage of the festival to tap potential markets, he said the province had purchased 6,000 heads of sheep from Australia, which were already distributed to local farmers.
“So for the chefs who are here, we can supply you the freshest and the most tender lamb,” he said.
Negrense chefs Margarita Fores and JP Anglo, as well as Patrick Go, Niño Laus, Kalel Demetrio, Nico Millanes, Joerri Arro, and Don Colmenares participated in the festival organized by the Department of Tourism and hosted by this city as the last leg for 2018.
Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, in a message delivered by agency Western Visayas regional director Helen Catalbas, said the activity marks a special day for the people of Negros Occidental “because we all know that, in every meal, we always save the best for last.”
“Only the best Ilonggo delicacies, the best Negrense chefs, and the best locally grown ingredients and produce top-bill this Bacolod edition of the festival,” Puyat said. (With Philippine News Agency/PN)
