Biliran province cancels annual festival amid fuel crisis

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Philippines — The provincial government of Biliran has cancelled its annual Hudyaka Festival for May 2026, citing the ongoing fuel crisis and global uncertainties affecting oil prices.

Governor Rogelio Espina, in  announcing the decision, said funds originally intended for the province-wide cultural celebration will instead be redirected to address the more urgent needs of residents.

“With the present fuel crisis and the Middle East conflict at hand, and with no end in sight, it is best for us to implement austerity measures and allocate more funds for the people’s immediate needs,” Espina said in a social media post.

The Hudyaka Festival, held annually as part of Biliran’s provincehood anniversary, is one of the province’s major cultural events, showcasing local heritage, street dancing, and inter-town participation. This year would have marked the province’s 34th founding anniversary.

Despite the cancellation, Espina assured that key activities will still proceed, including medical and surgical missions across hospitals and health facilities in the province, as well as an agricultural fair to support local farmers.

While the provincial government did not disclose the total budget for the festival, it typically provides a subsidy of P300,000 to each of Biliran’s eight municipalities to support their participation.

Local officials have largely welcomed the move. An information officer from one municipality, who declined to be named, described the decision as a “big relief” amid rising costs.

He noted that the subsidy is often insufficient, with municipalities spending at least P1 million to cover costumes, food, transportation, and professional fees, including choreographers.

“Even with the cancellation, we still have obligations to settle,” the official said, adding that their municipality must pay P60,000 for choreography services already rendered during weeks of preparation. /cb