Major Road Closure in Bacolod for International Food Event
The Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department (BTTMD) has announced a significant road closure affecting North and South Capitol Roads, set to begin at 11 p.m. on Monday, November 10, 2025, and continuing until November 24, 2025. This two-week closure is part of the city's extensive preparations for hosting the inaugural Terra Madre Asia & Pacific (TMAP) 2025 event.
Traffic Rerouting and Management Plans
According to Lawyer Reuben Sabig, BTTMD officer-in-charge, the closure will be comprehensive on North Capitol Road, while South Capitol Road will see restrictions along the section between Lacson Street and Gatuslao Street. To minimize disruption, the BTTMD has implemented specific rerouting schemes for public utility jeepneys (PUJs).
All PUJs traveling from the northern areas will be redirected to turn right onto 13th Street, proceeding toward Gatuslao Street. Meanwhile, all PUJs coming from the south will turn right onto Gatuslao Street, heading toward Lacson Street. Sabig emphasized that the Lacson Street traffic scheme will remain unaffected by these changes.
To ensure smooth traffic flow during this period, Sabig confirmed that a team of traffic enforcers will be deployed to manage the situation. Additionally, parallel parking will be temporarily implemented on Gatuslao Street to accommodate vehicles and maintain order.
Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025: A Landmark Event
Bacolod City is preparing to host the maiden edition of Terra Madre Asia & Pacific, marking the first-ever regional gathering of this world-renowned event in Asia and the Pacific. Typically held biennially in Turin, Italy, and founded by Slow Food, this prestigious event will take place at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, from November 19 to 23, 2025.
The event, themed "From Soil to Sea: A Slow Food Journey Through Tastes & Traditions," will bring together a diverse group of participants including farmers, fishers, cooks, youth, food communities, indigenous leaders, researchers, and cultural advocates. Their collective mission is to celebrate biodiversity and co-create sustainable food systems rooted in tradition, fairness, and environmental care.
Ramon "Chin Chin" Uy Jr., Slow Food councilor for Southeast Asia, highlighted that TMAP 2025 represents a major moment for sustainable gastronomy, elevating the Asia-Pacific's distinct regional flavors onto an international stage. With acclaimed mixologists and over 100 world-class chefs participating, the event will further cement Bacolod City's reputation as a "center for sustainable gastronomy" and celebrate Negros Occidental's legacy as the "organic capital of the Philippines."
Reena Gamboa, TMAP 2025 Executive Director, announced one of the key events called "Slow Drinks," where participating mixologists will partner directly with local farmers to create distinctive cocktails and beverages using locally sourced ingredients. She explained that the Slow Food movement champions good, clean, and fair food—even in drinks, emphasizing a commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and community collaboration within the beverage industry.
The rich culinary heritage and deep agricultural roots of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental make them ideal hosts for this global gathering, bringing the spirit of Terra Madre to life by safeguarding local biodiversity, empowering small-scale farmers, and championing good, clean, and fair food for all.
