Important tourism product
Kalutong Bulakenyo has become an important tourism product with numerous vibrant festivals being held annually. These include the Minasa Festival of Bustos, Kakanin Festival of Marilao, Chicharon Festival of Santa Maria, Pastilyas Festival of San Miguel, and Fiesta Republika of Malolos.
The Provincial History, Arts & Culture, and Tourism Office (PHACTO) also launched in 2022 a recognition to those working to preserve heirloom dishes through the “Pagkilala sa mga Tagapagsulong at Haligi ng Kalutong Bulakenyo”.
The teaching of Kalutong Bulakenyo dishes has been integrated in educational institutions.
The provincial government started in 2012 teaching the cooking of heirloom dishes in Home Economic subjects in schools and food preparation and restaurant management-related courses in colleges and universities.
To turn this initiative into reality, SHINE Bulacan or Sustainable Heritage Imbibing Nationalism through EduTourism was formed in 2021 in Bulacan State University through the help of PHACTO.
It is being funded by the 40 percent share of the Commission on Higher Education from the travel tax collected by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.
Governor Daniel Fernando expresses support for the UNESCO City of Gastronomy bid being pushed by the Department of Tourism. (DOT Region 3)