Showcasing local flavors and cuisines, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) with the Provincial Government of Pampanga and other partner agencies on Tuesday officially opened Mangan Tamu Pampanga Food Street in this Freeport.
The opening of Mangan Tamu food street highlighted home-grown recipes of various Kapampangan food, CDC Chairman Jose “Ping” De Jesus said the establishment of the food street is envisioned to contribute to the growth of tourism in the Freeport especially now that it is being positioned as one of the premier Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibits (MICE) destinations in the country and the rest of Southeast Asia.
“This facility goes to show that Clark Development Corporation as well as the New Clark City will become the primary and preferred destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibits or MICE not only for the Philippines but also for the rest of Southeast Asia ,” De Jesus said.
Meanwhile, Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda mentioned that the food street will be a showcase of Pampanga for tourists coming from other parts of the country.
“Sana marami pang ganitong klase ng kainan dito sa ating probinsya dahil siguradong dudumugin ito ng mga taga Mindanao, Visayas at Luzon,” she said.
Pineda also said that the plan of adding Halal Certified food on the roaster of menu at the food park will be on the pipeline.
Accordingly, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo – Puyat said that they will continue to support various projects on tourism development in this Freeport while she also underscored the advantages of the existing international airport here.
“Sa pagimplement ng aming mga projects dapat iprioritize yung may international airport. Kaya dapat magbuhos ng pondo kung saan may international airport. I’m very positive that Mangan Tamu will be successful,” Romulo said.
CDC President and CEO Noel F. Manankil with Former President and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, CDC Chairman Jose De Jesus, CDC Vice Chairman Benjamin Defensor, Jr., Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Vivencio Dizon, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo- Puyat, and Major General Allen Paredes also spearheaded the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the said event.
Also present during the ceremonial opening are Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr., Porac Mayor Jaime Capil, Mabalacat City Vice Mayor Atty. Gerald Guttrie Aquino and other representatives of Local Government Units (LGUs) near this Freeport. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is also one of the partner agencies of the food street.
Mangan Tamu Pampanga Food Street which features more than 50 local concessionaires including merchants of Comercio Central also had its soft opening last November 8, 2019. It is open from 4 PM to 12 AM every Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
(Photos by Deng Pangilinan)