MALOLOS CITY — Bulacan is embracing a new frontier in agriculture and tourism, spotlighting both traditional farm culture and cutting-edge greenhouse technology as part of a broader push for food security and sustainable development.

Bulacan LGU ties up with DOT promoting Farm Tourism

In line with the celebration of Filipino Food Month, the province is promoting farm tourism and locally crafted beverages, led by the Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PHACTO) in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT). The initiative aims to position Bulacan as an emerging agri-tourism destination and gastronomic hub in Central Luzon.

“Farm tourism doesn’t just attract visitors—it strengthens our local food systems,” said May Arlene Torres, Officer-in-Charge of PHACTO. “By showcasing our farm sites, we also boost rice, vegetable, fruit, livestock, and fisheries production—vital elements of culinary heritage.”

Currently, six farm tourism sites across Bulacan have been accredited by the DOT under the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016. These sites serve as both learning centers and tourist attractions, offering farm-to-table experiences and cultural immersion through local cuisine.

The campaign also includes a province-wide competition that challenges students to develop new beverages using ingredients sourced from local farms. Bulacan Polytechnic College took the top prize with its ube palapat rice latte, followed by National University-Baliwag’s tanglad palamig, STI-Balagtas’ cisco balta sour, and Centro Escolar University-Malolos’ velvet luster.

DOT Regional Director Richard Daenos underscored the value of these efforts in preserving culinary traditions. “Delicacies tell stories. When we share them, we pass on generations of history and knowledge,” he said.

These innovative drinks, alongside the province’s broader farm tourism efforts, may be featured in the upcoming National Food Hub in Mabalacat, Pampanga. The 62-hectare facility, located near Clark International Airport Terminal 2, aims to streamline food supply chains and will be jointly developed by the Clark International Airport Corp. and the Asian Development Bank, with support from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

Presidential Visit Highlights Tech-Driven Agriculture

Meanwhile, in San Rafael, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the Metro Pacific Fresh Farms (MPFF), the Philippines’ largest high-tech greenhouse facility, signalling strong government support for agricultural modernization.

Spanning 22 hectares, the facility represents Phase 1 of a broader push by Metro Pacific Agro Ventures Inc. (MPAV), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), to build 10 similar complexes across the country. Using Israeli drip irrigation and nutrient film technique (NFT) systems, the greenhouses produce high yields of leafy greens, melons, and tomatoes with 90% less water and land than traditional farms.

Marcos toured the greenhouse alongside Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., sampling freshly harvested produce and praising the initiative’s contribution to rural development and national food security.

The current setup includes six greenhouses that collectively yield 500 metric tons of vegetables annually. Lettuce alone is produced at a rate of 60,000 heads per month under the “More Veggies Please” brand, now stocked in Metro Manila supermarkets.

“This is the future of farming,” said MPIC chair Manuel V. Pangilinan. “We’re not just growing vegetables—we’re building a stable and sustainable food ecosystem.”

📷 RTVM