Legarda pushes for culinary heritage recognition

Senator Loren Legarda emphasized the Philippines' rich culinary heritage, stating that it is intrinsically linked to the nation's history and identity.

Legarda highlighted that Filipino meals serve as more than just sustenance, acting as vehicles for passing down stories, creating memories, celebrating traditions, and fostering connections to ancestral roots.

She stressed the importance of preserving and protecting this culinary heritage, viewing it as a reflection of national pride and a means to enhance the Philippines' global standing in gastronomy.

The Senator is a proponent of several bills, including Senate Bill No. 244 or the proposed Philippine Culinary Heritage Act of 2022, which seeks to embed culinary heritage within the education system.

This proposed legislation aims to document traditional ingredients, recipes, cooking techniques, and conduct culinary mapping to record local food geography, regional cooking methods, and indigenous cuisines.

Legarda also pointed out that supporting culinary heritage preservation contributes to uplifting local farmers, bolstering food security, and advancing sustainable tourism.