BUGUEY, Cagayan: About 2,000 villagers feasted on 1,000 kilos of mangrove crabs and several roasted pigs — all gone within minutes — to cap the Crab and Mangrove Festival held at the town premises on Friday (Oct 24).
The mangrove crabs, raised in the town’s lagoon, and roasted pigs—dubbed “McBuchon” to highlight Buguey’s unique version of lechon—were served to residents and guests along with various crab dishes.
Local officials also launched the Crab and Mangrove Industry Enhancement through Regulation, Research and Extension Services and Livelihood Assistance (Cinderella) programme to support crab raisers.
“As we continue to develop our crab hatchery, we have been raising crablets, which we use to distribute to farmers as assistance. However, due to existing laws, we have changed our policy. We now prohibit the gathering and catching of crablets in the Buguey River since these are still small,” Mayor Licerio Antiporda III said.
“By allowing crabs to be cultured in our lagoons instead of catching small ones, our crab raisers are now earning more through our mangrove crab hatcheries. We need an ample supply for crab growing and fattening,” he added.
The mayor also inaugurated a cold chain facility for crabs and other fishery products, saying this would allow the town to maintain sufficient stocks of crabs, malaga, and other fish.
Dubbed the “Crab Capital of the North,” Buguey has long been known for its abundant crab harvests.
Antiporda also promoted internationally inspired crab recipes prepared by local chefs, “so that we can cater to both foreign and domestic guests who love to eat such delicacies.”
Town officials reiterated a municipal council resolution prohibiting the transport of certain types of crabs outside the town for five years to boost local production.
The municipality also inaugurated a multi-purpose fishery building and broke ground for a new evacuation center. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
