Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to make Bacolod the Slow Food international hub for Asia Pacific at rites in Turin, Italy, on Friday, Sept. 27.
The MOA was also signed by Paolo di Croce – Slow Food International director general, and Reena Gamboa – Slow Food Community of Negros president.
The signing was held at the ongoing international gastronomy exhibition -Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2024 in Turin.
The MOA states that Bacolod City shall provide financial assistance and manpower support for the development and implementation of Slow Food projects and programs in Bacolod City, with a total amount of P6.5 million for 2024.
The agreement also states that they will conduct mapping of the food and cultural biodiversity in the upland, urban and coastal barangays of Bacolod City, and establish and expand of Slow Food Communities in Bacolod City.
Slow food refers to dishes that are well-prepared, not in haste as opposed to fast food, and uses locally sourced ingredients.
“We hope visitors will savor a true taste of the Philippines, especially the flavors of Bacolod and Negros Occidental, through our delicious offerings”, Benitez said of their participation in the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto.*