Iloilo City secures P2M for gastronomy project

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo City has been awarded a P2 million grant for its “Iloilo City Lunsod Lunsad Creative Gastronomy Mapping, Strategy Development, and Showcase” project.

The announcement was made during the 2024 Lunsod Lunsad Ceremonial Awarding held on August 6 at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.

Ten cities from Western Visayas were honored for their outstanding creative proposals by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Alongside Iloilo City, the other cities that received awards were Bacolod, Bago, Cadiz, Kabankalan, La Carlota, Roxas, Sipalay, San Carlos, and Victorias.

These cities were recognized for their innovative proposals aimed at promoting socio-economic growth and cultural reinvigoration.

Each city will receive funding and technical support from the DTI to implement their projects.

Velma Lao, Head of the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions (LEDIP) Office, received the award on behalf of Iloilo City.

In an interview, Lao detailed the city’s comprehensive plan and presented the project proposal.

“We have a comprehensive mapping plan to outline the gastronomy landscape in the city and profile our culinary assets. Next, we will have a training and development program for gastronomy to explore the city’s potential. We will also host a showcase event to exhibit our gastronomic delights,” she explained.

Lao emphasized the need for consultancy services to identify key players and develop a Food Crawl Guide.

“We want to fully showcase our culinary assets. Mapping and highlighting restaurant specialties will address competency gaps and promote our small-scale businesses and culinary entrepreneurs. We want to leverage the city’s title as the ‘Creative City of Gastronomy,’” Lao said.

The grant for Iloilo City will fund several key initiatives designed to map the city’s diverse culinary heritage, foster culinary innovation, and create a cohesive brand identity as a premier gastronomic destination.

The main activities outlined in the project proposal include:

1. Comprehensive Mapping and Strategy Workshop: Professional consultancy services will conduct extensive research, including surveys, interviews, and data processing, to create a detailed database of Iloilo’s gastronomic assets. A strategic workshop will develop a brand identity and a roadmap for promoting Iloilo City’s culinary scene.
2. Production of Ilonggo Food Crawl Guide: A curated guide featuring recommended dining destinations, culinary experiences, and must-try dishes will be produced and printed. This guide will highlight Iloilo’s rich gastronomic offerings, including traditional dishes and modern culinary innovations.
3. Website Creation and Hosting: An official digital platform will be developed to showcase Iloilo City’s culinary heritage, attracting tourists and visitors through engaging content and interactive features. This platform will be managed by the Iloilo City Government MICE Office.
4. “Pagtililipon”: This dynamic gathering will highlight and celebrate Iloilo City’s culinary excellence through presentations and food shows. The event will feature the top 20 culinary creations from the Ilonggo Food Crawl Guide, providing a platform for local chefs and artisans to showcase their talents.
5. Establishment of Ilonggo Food Circuit and Fam Tour: A guided tour will offer participants an immersive gastronomic adventure through Iloilo City’s diverse culinary landscape. This tour will include visits to bustling markets, heritage restaurants, and hidden culinary gems.

The Lunsod Lunsad Project is an initiative aimed at harnessing the potential of creative sectors to drive socio-economic growth in local communities.

The ceremonial awarding was attended by key figures from the government and creative sectors, including Director Lilian G. Salonga, Officer-in-Charge of the DTI Creative Industries Development Office; DTI Undersecretary Dr. Rafaelita M. Aldaba; DTI Communications Group Undersecretary Jose Edgardo G. Sunico; and DTI Regional Operations Group Assistant Secretary Grace Baluyan, who participated online. Cavite Second District Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla was also present.

Director Lilian G. Salonga expressed her excitement about the potential impact of these projects. DTI looks forward to their successful implementation and their contribution to the growth of creative industries in Western Visayas and the Philippines as a whole.