To further grow its tourism industry, the Iloilo Provincial Government will focus on developing and promoting its assets.

“We start with our assets,” said Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. during the launching of “Kaina Na!” (let’s eat), a culinary and travel festival, in Iloilo City on Friday, Dec. 6.

According to Defensor, Iloilo’s best asset is its food. 

“We don’t want our food to remain just a part of tourism, we want it to be the centerpiece of Iloilo’s tourism industry,” the governor stressed.

Defensor believes that Iloilo as an agricultural province is capable of sustaining food tourism.

He noted that the province produces, among others, sugarcane, cacao, and coffee.

The governor claimed that “the best coffee and chocolate” are “here in Iloilo.”

“Ang iban gasiling nga ang the best coffee in world is in Italy pero wala man ti gatanom kape to. We taste the best chocolate in Belgium, Europe pero wala cacao didto,” said Defensor.

“Diri sa aton damo tubo, kape kag cacao. Amo ni ang aton tutukan para mapasangkad,” he added.

Defensor appealed to stakeholders in Iloilo to help “add value to our agricultural products.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas thanked the Department of Tourism (DOT) for bringing “Kainan Na!” to Iloilo City.

He said the event would help boost the tourism industry of Iloilo and the Western Visayas region as a whole.

“Beyond our famed Dinagyang Festivals, century-old churches, and majestic heritage mansions is our unique Ilonggo cuisine,” he said.

“Aside from common delicacies, such as batchoy, pancit molo, butterscotch, biscocho, we also have our kansi, KBL (kadios, baboy, langka), and laswa that are loved by many tourists,” the mayor added.

“Kain Na!”, which also features dishes and chefs in Capiz, Guimaras, Aklan and Antique, ran until Sunday, Dec. 8.

“We encourage everyone to promote our very own cuisine and local products. Let us show the world why it’s more fun to eat in Western Visayas,” said DOT-6 Director Atty. Helen Catalbas.

The launching was also graced by DOT Undersecretary Edwin Enrile.IMT

Photo courtesy of DOT