Marcos vetoes bill declaring Pampanga as PH's culinary capital due to 'lack of historical basis'
President Ferdinand “Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has vetoed the proposed law declaring Pampanga as the culinary capital, citing concerns about the “lack of historical basis.”
In the letter addressed to the House of Representatives, Marcos explained that Senate Bill No. 2797 or House Bill No. 10634 titled “An act declaring the province of Pampanga as the culinary capital of the Philippines” while consistent with the government policy of conserving, promoting, and popularizing cultures, the proposed measure “lacks historical basis” and absence of thorough study.”
“It cannot be denied that Pampanga is celebrated for its diverse and flavorful dishes, traditional cooking methods, and a strong culture of food innovation. This is consistent with the policy of the government to conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations,” the letter read.
“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,” it added.
Marcos also noted in the letter that regions in the Philippines have distinct culinary characteristics, and the culinary variations “reflect the rich cultural diversity of a group of people scattered among the Philippine islands.”
“I believe that one must travel our islands to identify the tastes and flavors that express our culture. Our regional variants and their recognizable nuances are what make the palette that is truly Filipino,” he added.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) chief Claire Castro said on Thursday that the bill will create “discrimination.”
“Maganda po ‘yung bill, pero magke-create po kasi ito ng discrimination. Ang ating pong bawat rehiyon ay may kaniya-kaniyang kultura, may kaniya-kaniyang kagalingan,” she said during the press briefing on Thursday.
Castro added that highlighting only one region for its exceptional food or beauty could lead to misinterpretations, particularly among foreign visitors, who might conclude that only that region is worth visiting.
“Ang lahat po na rehiyon ay may kaniya-kaniya, may uniqueness na tinatawag so kaya po ito vineto. Hindi naman po para hindi paniwalaan na masarap o maganda ang kultura ng Pampanga, pero para po kilalanin ang bawat rehiyon sa kanilang kagalingan,” she added.
Castro noted that the president’s decision would be the same if other regions propose the same bill.
Mixed reactions
People have reacted to the veto with mixed feelings. While some agreed, others boasted about the province's rich gastronomic scene.
Jam Melchor, chef and founder of the Philippine Culinary Heritage movement, said on his Facebook post that Pampanga has always been recognized as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines “by the weight of its rich history, culinary excellence, and the generations of artisans who have kept its traditions alive.”
“While the recent veto of the Senate bill is acknowledged, Pampanga’s culinary heritage remains undisputed. More importantly, as a staunch advocate of Filipino food, I hope this moment sparks deeper conversations about the broader challenges in our food system,” he wrote.
Melchor added, “I trust that Malacañang will address these pressing concerns, ensuring a stronger, more sustainable future for Filipino food and the communities that bring it to life.”
Meanwhile, Ivan Henares, the Secretary General of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, echoed that the country’s culinary scene is diverse and that no region should compete “for bragging rights and empty titles.”
“I hope 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,” Henares wrote in his Facebook post.
“We should not be competing with each other for bragging rights and empty titles. Focus on sustainable programs (such as policies on geographical indication), not just trivial things. Let's determine ‘key performance indicators’ and work towards those,” he continued.
Pampangas's Angeles City was recognized as Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination at the World Culinary Awards Gala Ceremony 2024.
