The price of tapa per kilogram has increased in Mangaldan, Pangasinan as demand surges amid the town’s annual Pindang Festival.

Pre-packed tapa remains at P150, while the price per kilo has climbed to P560 from P550 due to limited supply.

“Konti ‘yung suplay ngayon eh. Kaya tumaas yung dressed meat,” Janice Lomboy, a tapa vendor, said.

Shoppers like Carmelita Valle and Voltaire Cave remain loyal customers.

“Tapa for lunch. Masarap, kaya ako dito pumupunta sa kanila eh,” Valle said.

“Masarap siya, malinis tapos manipis ang pagkahiwa. Juicy na juice siya,” Cave added.

Tapa sold in Mangaldan is sourced from carabaos raised in Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Nueva Ecija, with some vendors processing up to four carabaos daily.

“Pasyal kayo sa Mangaldan at bili kayo ng tapa,” Lomboy said.

The Pindang Festival, celebrated annually in Mangaldan, Pangasinan, is a month-long event held every March to honor the town's renowned "pindang," or carabao meat tapa.