Manila, April 27 -- The Department of Agriculture in the Davao Region (DA-11) underscored Monday the vital role of farmers and fisherfolk in sustaining Filipino cuisine.

Marie Ann Constantino, DA-11 technical director for operations, said in a news release that the Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino (Filipino Food Month) showed that local flavors carry stories of the hard work involved in planting and harvesting.

DA-11 held a mall food fair on April 24 to 26 with the theme "Connected by Taste: The Filipino Food in the Flavors of ASEAN," aimed at promoting cultural identity, sustainability and regional collaboration.

Constantino said the wide array of local products became a significant source of pride for the region.

"Their produce is not jus...