2026年3月31日、軽油が高すぎて、町は祭りのごちそう用に水牛を潰すことを禁じたMarch 31, 2026 — Diesel got so expensive, this town banned slaughtering its water buffalo for the festival feast

The town of Sulat in Eastern Samar province, 32 kilometers north of the provincial capital Borongan, has issued an executive order banning the slaughter of carabao (water buffalo). Mayor Javier Sacate said the order was needed because rising diesel prices have made it more expensive to run tractors, making it essential to keep carabao available as farm labor for plowing fields. The order bans slaughtering carabao for festivals and celebrations, and bans transporting them out of town for slaughter. As a result, dishes like caldereta and law-oy, long served at town fiestas using carabao meat, can no longer be served unless the meat is sourced from outside. The town has shortened its festival to a single day and cut public spending on entertainment. Mayor Sacate said the decision came after small-group consultations and discussions with the municipal development council. The restriction could last several months and may affect the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola on July 31. The town is conducting a livestock census and has instructed each barangay to boost vegetable production and set up communal food reserves.