Lubuagan proposes to limit number of carabaos butchered during wakes and funerals

Lubuagan, Kalinga – Lubuagan is planning to draft an ordinance to regulate number of carabaos butchered in the municipality as a means to lessen over expenses of local residents during occasions, especially on wakes and burials.

Consultation with the community, however, should be conducted first before the drafting, said Mayor Charisma Anne Dickpus, adding that a consultation began with Barangay Poblacion last January this year but consultations with other barangays were postponed due to the enhanced community quarantine.

“Importante latta kadatayo nga maamwan nu anya met a ti opinion dagiti kailyan, nu anya iti makuna da iti purpose tayo nu apay kayat tayo ngai-regulate,” she said.

According to the mayor, it became customary for the iLubuagen to practice to butcher carabaos based on the number of the children of the deceased and if done otherwise, “makanchawan da ngay”.

“Gapu ta naka-ugalian ket mapilitan da met nga agparti, mabain da nga makanchawan. Ti importante kuma ket mapakanan ti tao, any food, saan nga kelangan nga nuwang ta imagine nu manu ti annak na dijay natay, say for example lima. So masapul lima met nga nuwang. Bale mamin duwa da nga agparti (ti) nuwang, agparti da ti aldaw ken agparti da pay ti rabii. Manu ngay nga gatad dijay ket nag-ngina ti nuwang,” she cited.

The mayor said that her concern is that such practice gives serious burden to the bereaved families especially to those who are not well-off. She said that some incurred huge debts; had to enroll for a loan or mortgage their land to buy carabaos to satisfy the practice.

“Concern ko lang gamin dagitoy mabati, siyempre they have to start their lives all over ket apay ngay nga kasla mas marigatan da pay ta imbes maka-move on da ket adda ti burden nga utang wenno gastos gapu lang ta kababain nu saan da nga agparti ti nuwang nga inaldaw. Wenno usto lang kuma jay maysa para jay maysa week,” she expressed.

Additionally, Dickpus also expressed her worry that “their hard-earned money would only be spent in an instant” due to having to spend over their normal budget for memorial services. Some, she said even had to sacrifice their own carabaos neglecting their importance to their farm works.

She said, she is hopeful that the iLubuagens will take the LGU’s plan positively and understand that it is for the welfare of surviving families especially those who are less fortunate.

Mayor Dickpus also informed that the drafting of the Municipal Ordinance may be in line with the Presidential Executive Order No. 626 signed on October 1980 by then President Ferdinand Marcos which stated that “conditions demand that the carabao and the buffalo be conserved for the benefit of the small farmers who rely on them for energy needs” therefore prohibiting the slaughtering of carabaos and buffaloes except under the following conditions:

a. Only carabaos and buffaloes that are seven years old or over, if male, and eleven years old or over, if female, may be slaughtered upon issuance of the necessary slaughter permit by the authorities concerned;

b. No slaughter permit shall be issued without a certificate by the Provincial or City Veterinarian concerned, or their authorized representatives, to the effect that the carabao or buffalo to be slaughtered is of the required age and free from any disease.

Nevertheless, Mayor Dickpus said the planned Municipal Ordinance still relies on the people’s consolidated opinion and suggestions.

“It is still up to the people. Adu met ketdi ti agree ti plano ti LGU ngem nu anya man ti mapagtutung-tungan, nu anya man ti desisyon ti kaadwan after ti consultation ket isu ah ti suruten tayo,” she informed.

According to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the average farmgate price of a carabao for slaughter during the quarter of year 2020 was quoted at PhP 103.92 per kilogram, liveweight. An average weight for mature male carabaos is 420–500 kg while females weigh 400–425 kg.

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