Iloilo City is again making a bid for the title of Creative City of Gastronomy of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

With support and guidance from various stakeholders, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said he is more optimistic now that the city will get the title.

The city mayor earlier sought the support and endorsement of UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM) Secretary General Dr. Ivan Anthony S. Henares.

The city, Treñas stressed, is a gastronomic hotspot waiting to be explored, experienced and enjoyed. It has a vibrant gastronomy community with numerous traditional restaurants and chefs.

“Our cuisine is grounded on abundant produce majorly sourced from neighboring provinces and regions, and are flavored with natural ingredients and less preservatives. Endogenous ingredients from local farms and urban backyards are used in native cooking,” he told Henares.

Treñas said the city government is closely working with both public and private sectors in moving towards self-sufficiency and sustainability.

Among the initiatives undertaken to promote Ilonggo cuisine include, among others, the Flavors of Iloilo cookbook and the Batchoy Festival.

Meanwhile, Henares asked the assistance of Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual and National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chairman Victorino Mapa Manalo for the city’s bid.

“Iloilo City pushes for its nomination as it is confident that, with its vibrant gastronomy community that imbibes generational culinary traditions and recipes resulting to a strong Ilonggo brand, its bid will pass the UNESCO’s standard and be recognized as an additional UNESCO Creative City in the country this year,” said Henares.

According to him, they relayed the encouragement to resubmit, as well as the comments for improvement from Ms. Denise Bax, Secretary of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, in several engagements with her since 2021.

“The city commits to repackage its nomination to better present its gastronomic ecosystem and its contribution to the city’s and nearby communities’ sustainable development,” said Henares.

“With proactive help and suggestions from the national level, they also intend to tap their local talents in revising their nomination dossier for onward review, guidance and vetting of respective agencies,” he added.

UCCN was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.

It covers seven creative fields including gastronomy, crafts and folk art, design, film, literature, media arts and music.IMT