The city is also considered as one of the country's culinary gems after it was recently recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as a Creative City of Gastronomy -- the first Philippine city to be given such a title.

The Iloilo City government is currently cooking something to cement the title and reputation, highlighting the excellence of the culinary industry and tradition in the city and the entire Western Visayas.

The city government is already in the process of launching the inaugural "Festival of Food" in April, noting that the event will be a 

cooking techniques, sourcing, marketing, packaging, and flavor pairing; while home-grown chefs will showcase their skills and techniques in cooking Ilonggo dishes through demonstrations.

A food map, developed by the city in collaboration with the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Arts (ILOMOCA), will also be introduced during the festivity to guide food enthusiasts to the city's best cuisines.

Aside from the "Festival of Food", the city government is set to launch its next cookbook, which will feature the city's gastronomic journey, showcasing geography, ethnicity, recipes, ingredients, and technology that have influenced local food cuisine and culture.

Development Council to foster the growth and recognition of Ilonggo gastronomy.

The ordinance also underscores the need for a unified effort from the city government, the private sector, and stakeholders to realize sustainable gastronomic development and distinction.

Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia, proponent of the ordinance, said that the council would be responsible for the regulation and implementation of industry standards at every part of the city’s food value chain, including the progression of food products from cultivation through production, marketing, and distribution.

It also aims to establish the ‘Ilonggo Food Heritage Accreditation System’, a star-rating system for assessing food-related businesses based on different criteria: the use of quality products, mastery of preparation techniques, authenticity, value, and consistency.

These innovations and programs undertaken by the local government are said to showcase and strengthen the culinary excellence in Iloilo, which will place the "City of Love" on the global culinary map alongside other international gastronomic giants, cementing its title as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)