JASMINE D. JASO
CLARK FREEPORT – The Pampanga Food Street with a brand of “Mangan Tamu” (Let us Eat), showcasing the best of Kapampangan cuisine, culinary delight, and other locally-made products, is now officially opened to various publics in this Freeport starting Tuesday (November 12).
Located along Cardinal Santos Street here, the Pampanga Food Street now hosts Pampanga’s iconic restaurants, eighty-two food stalls, pasalubong kiosks, celebrity chefs and diverse homegrown delights to cater to both local and foreign visitors and guests.
The launching was led by Former President and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, the Provincial Government of Pampanga led by Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and some local government units (LGUs) from several municipalities of Pampanga and Tarlac.
According to Vice Governor Nanay, the event aims to further promote the locally-made products of Pampanga and other areas of Central Luzon.
“We had this idea of establishing this food street to feature the best of Kapampangan cuisines and delicacies, this is also in anticipation of the increasing number of people visiting our province as a result of its on-going development,” the vice governor said.
Prior to this, Mangan Tamu already had its soft opening last November 8 wherein it featured more than fifty local concessionaires showcasing their products.
Governor Delta, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to CDC and all stakeholders who are continuously exerting efforts to attract more tourists and investors in the province.
During the event, certificates and plaques of appreciation were also conferred to VG Nanay, Arroyo, and Puyat; and to Kapampangan culinary icons, namely Lourdes de Jesus-Santos and Trinidad Alviz.
Also present were CDC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Noel Manankil, CDC Chairman Jose de Jesus, CDC Vice Chairman Gen. Benjamin Defensor, Jr., BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon, Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) President Frankie Villanueva, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Myrvi Pavia, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and some local chief executives.
Mangan Tamu is open to local and foreign visitors from Fridays to Sundays, 4pm-12mn.
CLARK FREEPORT. Former President and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, along with Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, and Clark Development Corporation (CDC), leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the launch of “Mangan Tamu” Pampanga Food Street here.
