ILOILO — The Iloilo provincial government is investing P20 million in a new food hub at Bancal Port in Carles to strengthen the town’s tourism industry, showcase its renowned seafood and local cuisine, and provide visitors with a dedicated dining destination before traveling to the municipality’s island attractions.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Carles Food Hub on Tuesday, July 21, together with Mayor Arnold Betita II, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Provincial Tourism Officer Aulynn Yue Sin, and other local officials.
Defensor said the province allocated funds for the project to give Carles’ well-known delicacies a proper venue while promoting the municipality’s culinary offerings to both local and international tourists heading to its island barangays.
He envisions the food hub becoming a clean, attractive, and welcoming facility that will encourage more visitors to stop, dine, and experience the town’s local flavors.
The project forms part of the Iloilo provincial government’s tourism campaign, “Fun, Foodie, Friendly Iloilo.”
Provincial Tourism Officer Aulynn Yue Sin said the initiative goes beyond constructing a food hub, as the province will also provide training for concessionaires on food safety handling, product development, and digitalization to ensure tourists enjoy a complete and quality dining experience.
Mayor Betita thanked Defensor for ensuring the project would push through, saying the facility is expected to play a key role in expanding Carles’ tourism industry.
According to Betita, the governor recognized the municipality’s lack of a proper dining facility after observing that there was no suitable place to eat during his visits to Carles, prompting the provincial government to pursue the project.
“Hopefully pag-natapos na ini, daku gid ini nga bulig sa tourism activity sa Barangay Bancal. Puede ta di madala ang tourists – local man or foreign,” said Betita./PN
