By GDM Staff 

The municipality of Pateros can become a world-class exporter of ‘balut’ and salted egg if the government provides assistance to the town’s industries, boxing champion-turned-presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao said.

In a release Wednesday, Pacquiao said that Pateros, the country’s balut capital, can be developed to become a premier investment location in food processing and manufacturing.

“‘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,” the standard bearer Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives (PROMDI) said.

Pacquiao stressed 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.

“Huwag sana nating pabayaan kahit ‘yung mga maliliit na munisipalidad dahil malaki rin ang ambag sa ating ekonomiya,” he said.

In visiting Pateros, the presidential aspirant raised the need for the government to give attention even to small municipalities such as Pateros and rural communities that are often neglected in terms of funding and infrastructure support.

He vowed to ensure that no town or city will be left behind in his campaign against poverty and corruption.

Pacquiao tied with Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso at the third spot in a January survey released by pollster Pulse Asia, with just 8% of voter support.