ILOILO — The Iloilo Provincial Government has released P20 million to finance the construction of a food hub at Bancal Port in Carles, a project aimed at transforming the town’s main gateway to its island destinations into a culinary tourism attraction while creating livelihood opportunities for local food entrepreneurs.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. turned over the P20-million check to Carles mayor Arnold Betita on November 11, advancing the provincial government’s efforts to strengthen tourism infrastructure and showcase the municipality’s local cuisine.
The food hub is envisioned as a clean, organized and attractive dining facility catering to domestic and foreign tourists traveling to the island barangays of Carles, including those visiting its popular coastal attractions.
Defensor led the project’s groundbreaking ceremony on July 21 at Bancal Port, alongside Betita, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Provincial Tourism Officer Aulynn Yue Sin and other municipal officials.
The governor said the facility would provide a designated venue for local food vendors to showcase Carles’ culinary specialties while improving dining options for visitors passing through the port.
He emphasized the need for a well-maintained and visually appealing food destination that could encourage tourists to dine locally and contribute to the municipality’s economy.
The project forms part of the provincial government’s tourism campaign, “Fun, Foodie, Friendly Iloilo,” which promotes local cuisine as a major component of the province’s tourism development strategy.
Beyond constructing the facility, Yue Sin said the provincial government would provide training programs for concessionaires covering food safety and handling, product development and digitalization.
These interventions are intended to improve service quality, strengthen the competitiveness of local food businesses and ensure a more satisfying dining experience for tourists.
Betita welcomed the financial assistance, saying the project would address the lack of suitable dining facilities at Bancal Port, a major departure point for visitors heading to Carles’ island destinations.
He recalled that Defensor himself had experienced the shortage of convenient dining options during his visits to the municipality, prompting the governor to pursue the establishment of the food hub.
“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,” Betita said./PN
