Because of its rich culinary heritage, Iloilo City was among the 54 cities proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization or UNESCO as the Creative Cities Network for Gastronomy for 2023.

The citation was announced last 31 October 2023 by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, announced by the country's Department of Tourism on Thursday.

"The Department of Tourism extends its sincerest congratulations to Iloilo City, under the leadership of Mayor Jerry Treñas, for its remarkable entry into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Iloilo City is a gastronomic haven for both Filipinos and international visitors, and a hallmark of our Filipino culinary heritage," Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said Thursday.

The designation reinforces the city's role in preserving and promoting Philippine food culture.

Iloilo is renowned for signature dishes such as La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo, local favorites like K.B.L. (Kadyos, Baboy, at Langka), the charcoal-roasted native chicken Darag, as well as its famous giant siopao and fresh seafood.

The City has made history by becoming one of the Philippine cities, alongside Baguio and Cebu City, to join the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network.