Buguey is earning the title of the ‘Town of Festivals’ in Cagayan, hosting four unique festivals to celebrate the abundant gifts of nature and promote the sustainable management of its natural resources while contributing to the town’s economic stability.
Buguey, initially recognized as the Crab Capital of Northern Luzon, began its festival journey by celebrating the Crab and Mangrove Festival to promote the importance of its mud crab industry, a vital sector for both the local economy and crab growers. Over time, as the town’s officials recognized the diverse resources available, they expanded their festival celebrations to include other industries and livelihoods.
Two years ago, the town’s fisherfolk sector launched the Malaga (Rabbitfish) and Guraman (Seaweeds) Festival to celebrate the bounty of the seas. To further support Buguey’s agricultural industries, a Lechon and Pinakbet Festival was introduced to highlight livestock production and honor vegetable farmers’ hard work.
Building on these successes, Buguey recently launched a new festival, the Baybay Festival, which highlights bulung-unas (beltfish), a species abundant in the town. The festival also introduced the Pandan Festival, honoring a mangrove plant used to create products like mats, fans, hats, bags, and other eco-friendly items.
Mayor Licerio Antiporda III said the Baybay Festival highlights Buguey’s dedication to sustainable coastal resource management and creating livelihood opportunities for local fisherfolk.
“This festival represents our commitment to preserving and enhancing our natural resources while providing our people with sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
Alongside the festival, Buguey launched Oplan BARBIE (Babuyan Channel Conservation and Management through Assistance to Fisherfolk, Research and Regulation for Bulung-Unas and Other Marine Products and Pandan Plant to Promote Income Generation and Eco-Tourism), a comprehensive approach that integrates production, marketing, conservation, livelihood, and ecotourism.
As part of this initiative, three barangays – Leron, Cabaritan and Sta. Maria, along with the Zonta Club of Aparri, represented by President Liciel Isabel Antiporda-Ontiveros, signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the local government to establish a Pandan Seedling Center, which received a cash assistance of P50,000. These pandan plants will not only provide raw materials for pandan-based products but will also play an important role in erosion control, enhancing Buguey’s natural landscape.
While the local government invests in each festival, Mayor Antiporda emphasized that the returns far exceed the costs. He cited the success of the Malaga and Guraman Festivals, which started in 2022 and will enter their fourth year in July 2025. These festivals have gained popularity and attracted significant investments, including P14 million in infrastructure projects, compared to the P3 million allocated for last year’s celebration. Key projects include the P5 million Malaga Hatchery, inaugurated last year, and the P9 million cold chain facility, supported by the Department of Trade and Industry, which is awaiting turnover.
During the launch of Oplan BARBIE, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, impressed by Mayor Antiporda’s efforts to develop Buguey’s fisheries sector, assured more projects for the town’s fisherfolk. The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry have also pledged their support.
Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Sofia Narag confirmed that training programs and equipment would be provided for local fisherfolk, while Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Kaye Olivas is exploring the feasibility of establishing an agricultural and fisheries terminal in Buguey, in addition to securing further funding support.
“We are not holding these festivals just to spend money but to create a platform for gathering support from both the government and the private sector,” Mayor Antiporda said.
Each festival in Buguey features a colorful parade of dancers through the streets, showcasing the town’s abundant resources and rich cultural heritage. Visitors also enjoy cooking demonstrations featuring the town’s signature dishes, such as crab, malaga, lechon, and the newly featured bulung-unas.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Angel Encarnacion praised the initiatives led by Mayor Antiporda, noting that they play a crucial role in achieving food sufficiency not only for Buguey but for the entire region. Buguey is a major supplier of crabs, malaga, bulung-unas, and other marine products. Encarnacion also commended the town’s strict enforcement of regulations aimed at preventing illegal, unreported,d and unregulated fishing activities.
“The use of active fishing gears is prohibited in Buguey, but Mayor Antiporda has ensured that alternative, sustainable fishing gears and bancas are provided to our fisherfolk,” Encarnacion added.
Buguey’s institutionalized festivals are more than just celebrations. They reflect the town’s commitment to nature, its people, and the sustainable development of its resources. According to Mayor Antiporda, these festivals serve as a powerful tool for promoting better production, environmental sustainability,y and community growth.
“These festivals are about much more than just enjoying the festivities. They are about creating lasting value for our environment, economy, and the future of Buguey,” he concluded. (OTB/GVB/PIA-Cagayan)
