24 March, Intramuros, Manila -- In celebration of the upcoming National Filipino Food Month, the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM) held a virtual press conference at the NCCA Building.

The virtual presser, hosted by Mr. Joey Guilas of PTV4, revealed that this year’s National Filipino Food Month will be celebrated with the theme: “Iba’t Ibang Luto, Pinoy ang Puso (Different Dishes, Pinoy at Heart)”. According to the NCCA, the theme reflects the importance of the culinary arts and tradition in the identity of Filipinos and how it forms and transforms our consciousness.

The month of April has been declared as ‘Filipino Food Month' through Presidential Proclamation 469 issued by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2018.  The annual celebration aims to boost and promote the Philippines’ culinary traditions and treasures as part of the nation’s rich cultural heritage. It is a month-long event that encourages the public to take part in activities designed to promote, preserve, and ensure the propagation of our culinary traditions and treasures to future generations, and to support the various industries, local farmers and agri-communities across the country.

In his Opening Remarks, Agriculture Secretary Dr. William Dar highlighted the important role of farmers and fisherfolks in ensuring the country’s food security, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The month-long celebration also aims to give thanks to the various heroes who help make food available and accessible to the Filipinos. We at the Department of Agriculture enjoin you to take a moment to reflect on the contributions of our farmers and fishers for their food security contributions and their roles as frontliners during the pandemic” Secretary Dar stressed.

“Likewise, we at the Department of Agriculture is committed to work hard and find more ways to ease the plight of sectoral communities which remains to be the most vulnerable in the country” he added.

With the current threat of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the involved agencies organized several activities via different social media platforms to ensure that the Filipino people remain actively involved and informed of the celebration, especially since food security remains a vital concern in these challenging times.

/AET

Source: Filipino Food Month Virtual Presser