Negros town unwraps unli blue crabs feast amid US export ban
Published Aug 2, 2026 06:05 pm
THE town of E.B. Magalona in Negros Occidental launched its first 'Eat-All-You-Can Blue Crab Night' to promote the blue crab industry and offset an export crisis that has severely affected fisherfolk and vendors. (Glazyl Masculino)
E.B. MAGALONA, Negros Occidental - Around 1,000 locals and tourists feasted on blue crabs as the municipality kicked off its first “Eat-All-You-Can Blue Crab Night” to promote the blue crab industry amid an ongoing export crisis to the United States that has severely affected fisherfolks and vendors.
Mayor Matt Malacon, in a media interview, said that estimated sales in the first day totaled P240,000, not including sales from à la carte meals.
Malacon said that the town initially prepared 400 kilograms of crabs, but due to the overwhelming demand, they managed to source an additional 400 kilograms, bringing the total to 800 kilograms.
“Unfortunately, we wanted to accommodate more guests, but we did not expect such a huge turnout. We ran out of crab supply much faster than anticipated,” the mayor said, adding that the supply only lasted for about two hours.
“We had no choice but to stop accepting guests because there was simply no more crab supply available,” he said.
Malacon said their team will hold a feedback meeting to discuss how they can improve their services this week.
“The event was a huge success. I sincerely apologize to everyone who traveled from far away but could not be accommodated because we ran out of crab supply that day,” he said.
He thanked people for supporting their initiative for the welfare of fisherfolk.
Malacon assured that on Saturday, they will be better prepared. “We will secure a significantly larger supply of blue crabs—as many as we possibly can,” Malacon said.
As for the possible expansion of the venue, he said they are currently planning to reorganize the layout to enable them to accommodate a larger number of people.
The unlimited crab feast is part of the revival of the town’s popular “Sabado Nights,” this time with a new focus on promoting the town’s blue crab industry.
This is part of the efforts of the local government to create a local market for blue crabs and help improve the income of people dependent on the industry.
The event is held every Saturday beginning Aug. 1, from 5 p.m. to 12 midnight at the plaza. It offers unlimited blue crabs for P300 per person while showcasing E.B. Magalona’s identity as the “Blue Crab Capital of Negros Occidental.”
Malacon said the initiative comes as the farmgate price of blue crabs has dropped to P120 to P180 per kilogram from around P320, following the disruption in exports to the United States.
“We want to create a local market. Through this, we can buy directly from vendors and fisherfolk at better prices, which will eventually help raise household incomes,” the mayor said.
Aside from supporting the local seafood industry, the municipal government also hopes the weekly event will attract more visitors and boost local tourism.
The mayor said Sabado Nights was originally introduced during the administration of his father, now Vice Mayor Marvin Malacon, as a weekend gathering for residents. The revived version will place greater emphasis on promoting the town’s signature delicacy while helping the local economy recover.
Negros Occidental continues to feel the impact of the June 11 closure of the US market to Philippine blue swimming crab products after the country failed to meet US marine mammal conservation and fisheries monitoring requirements.
During his visit to the province a few weeks ago, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the government is working towards restoring market access, with hopes that exports of Philippine blue swimming crabs to the US could resume before the end of the year after US authorities allowed the country to reapply for access.