Prices of cut flowers from Benguet soar ahead of ‘Undas’

HIGH-END BLOOMS Malaysian mums, orchids, carnations, roses and potted poinsettia grown by a commercial farm in Benguet province are sold in a shopping mall in Baguio City, although prices are slightly higher than those found at the public market and roadside stalls days before “Undas.” —VALERIE DAMIAN

BAGUIO CITY — Prices of cut flowers like roses have increased at the Baguio City public market before the country observes “Undas,” the traditional period when they remember their dead relatives on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). While cemeteries in this city, like the rest of the country, will be closed on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent crowds, families have been allowed to visit their loved ones’ tombs before the closure.

Villages in Baguio have designated days to enter cemeteries this week and those were the days they bought flowers, leading to a momentary increase in demand, said DA Cordillera Director Cameron Odsey.

On Wednesday, a dozen large red roses was sold for P300, up from P150 the previous week. Large white roses were sold for P350 a dozen, up from P250 from Oct. 18 to Oct. 24.

When Severe Tropical Storm “Maring” (international name: Kompasu) hit Baguio and Benguet early this month, a dozen large red roses was priced at P220.

In September, when tourists were barred from entering Baguio, large roses sold from P80 to P100 a dozen.

But most flower retailers have limited their operations in anticipation of fewer customers due to restrictions on people’s movements during Undas.

Last year, flowers meant for Undas were left unsold because people were restricted at home, a vendor said. —VINCENT CABREZA