PROMDI presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao has vowed to further develop the balut and salted egg industries in Pateros so that they may become world-class export products of the Philippines.
Pacquiao made this pledge as he navigated the narrow streets of the only remaining municipality in Metro Manila and found out for himself that balut and salted egg can be developed further into a huge export product that the country can be proud of.
He said helping Pateros develop its exporting potential is part of his commitment to ensure that no town or city will be left behind in his campaign against poverty and corruption.
Pacquiao said that all towns and cities, big or small, must get all the support that they need to ensure that all Filipinos, including those residing in small municipalities like Pateros, can have decent homes and livelihood.
In paying a courtesy call to Pateros officials led by Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce, Pacquiao lauded local folks for continuing an industry that was handed down from the forefathers of the locality.
While Pateros does not actually raise ducks that produce balut and salted egg, the industry has been a major contributor of development in the locality.
He said that the town’s “balut “ and salted egg production can become world-class industries if only the government would assist in turning them into major export products.
“ Yung balut saka itlog na maalat ng Pateros kilalang-kilala hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi maging sa ibang bansa. Parang exotic na pagkain kasi mga yan sa mga ibang nationality kaya dapat pag-aralan kung paano nating gawing major export ang balut at itlog na maalat (Balut and salted egg of Pateros are famous not only in the Philippines but also outside the country. It is an exotic food to foreigners that is why we must study how we can develop it into a major export industry),“ Pacquiao said.
He also underscored the need for the national government to help small local government units progress economically by developing investment potentials that are unique to a concerned locality.