PSA-CAGAYAN Joins 2025 4th Malaga and Guraman Festival on July 26, 2025 at Buguey, Cagayan
26 JULY 2025 – BUGUEY, CAGAYAN. The Philippine Statistics Authority - Provincial Statistical Office (PSO-CAGAYAN) and Regional Statistical Services Office II (PSA-RSSO2) joined the 2025 4th Malaga and Guraman Festival on 26 July 2025 at Buguey, Cagayan.
Ms. Cristeta M. Retoma (OIC of PSO-Cagayan) and Engr. Rose Pacay, Chief, Civil Registration and Statistical Services Division (CRASD) of PSA-RSSO2, joined and witnessed the celebration of the 2025 4th Malaga and Guraman Festival. The Municipality of Buguey continues to strengthen its fisheries sector with the goal of becoming the Malaga Capital of the Philippines, recognizing the importance of Malaga as a national leader in aquaculture.
With its abundant coastal resources, the Local Chief Executive (LCE) of Buguey, Hon. Licerio Millare Antiporda III, together with the community, works to preserve a 16-kilometer shoreline, over 1,000 hectares of mangrove areas, and more than 1,500 active fish cages.
A proposed hatchery for Malaga aims to stabilize production cycles and ensure timely harvests, further boosting Buguey’s role as a rising aquaculture hub.
One of the major highlights of the festival was the inauguration of a Cold Chain Facility through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). This enabled the freezing and storage of 2 tons of Malaga, maintaining the municipality’s aquaculture capacity and ensuring freshness during a 30-ton forced harvest, which underscores the town’s marine abundance. As of July, 44,000 kilos of Malaga have already been harvested.
The municipality holds four festivals annually, not only to celebrate its natural bounty but also to call upon agencies such as BFAR and DA to support its drive for sustainable fisheries, food security, and local economic empowerment. These festivals also showcase Buguey’s rich gastronomy and commitment to peace and order.
Buguey aligns its local efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in ending hunger and achieving food security in the post-pandemic period. Environmental efforts such as the desilting of Buguey Lagoon ensure sufficient seawater inflow to maintain salinity levels vital to both marine and brackish water aquaculture.
Through these efforts, Buguey stands proud as a symbol of “Agrisubo at Progresibong Buguey” a community rooted in innovation, environmental stewardship, and resilience.
