E.B. Magalona eyes crab festival amid export crisis

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The municipal government of E.B. Magalona in Negros Occidental has reported a sharp decline in blue crab prices, with farm-gate prices falling by at least PHP 200 amid an ongoing export crisis that has affected vendors and crab pickers.

In a phone interview Wednesday, Mayor Matt Malacon said the market price of blue crabs has dropped to PHP 120–PHP 180 from about PHP 320.

To help fisherfolk cope with the downturn, Malacon said the local government plans to revive its “Sabado Nights” program, this time highlighting the town’s blue crab industry.

The mayor said the municipality is initially planning to hold an “Eat-All-You-Can Blue Crab Night” to support the local crab industry, whose livelihood has been affected by the export crisis.

He said the local government is finalizing the details, including the expected number of participants and the venue for the weekend activity.

Although the announcement on social media has drawn positive public response, Malacon said the local government will first assess whether the concept is viable.

“Hopefully, it will become successful,” he said.

Malacon added that many residents have already expressed excitement about the event, but stressed that the activity must first be carefully studied before it is launched.

“We invite everyone to enjoy the freshest blue crabs while helping our community thrive. Come hungry and make your Saturday count. Enjoy unlimited blue crabs while supporting the hardworking crab fishers of E.B. Magalona,” Malacon shared on social media.

No official date has been announced, but once finalized, the activity is expected to run from 5 p.m. to midnight every Saturday.

E.B. Magalona is known as the “Blue Crab Capital of Negros Occidental” and has long been one of the country’s major exporters of blue swimming crabs to the United States.

The local blue crab industry has been affected by the closure of the U.S. market to Philippine blue swimming crab products, which took effect June 11 after the Philippines failed to demonstrate compliance with U.S. marine mammal conservation and fisheries monitoring requirements.

Cabinet Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. recently assured stakeholders that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is closely monitoring the situation and has directed the Department of Agriculture to assess the concerns and identify measures to address the issue.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., during his visit to Negros Occidental last week, said the government is working toward the resumption of blue swimming crab exports to the United States before the end of the year, citing the U.S. decision to allow the Philippines to reapply for market access.