Flower prices up ahead of Undas in Cotabato City
Local News • 17:57 PM Fri Oct 30, 2015
1,085
By:
Edwin Fernandez
Brisk business for flower vendors like in this photo. (for illustration only)
COTABATO CITY – The prices of flowers have tripled
ahead of the All Saints Day and All Souls’ Day celebration in Cotabato City.
Ordinary flowers which used to cost P50 a bundle had
skyrocketed to P100 to P150, flower vendors at the PC Hill Flower Shop said.
A certain Dodong, flower vendor, told DXMS Radyo Bidathat prices
of flowers, which Filipinos used to show love for the departed loved one, have
increased due to typhoon and haze that hit Mindanao last week.
He did not say how the haze affected flower
production but said that iswhat we were told by flower suppliers.”
Cotabato City flower vendors get supply from Tupi,
South Cotabato and North Cotabato.
Arranged flowers that normally cost P100, now sells
at P300 while elaborate flower arrangements and bouquets, which can be acquired
at P500 two weeks ago, now costs P1,500, depending on the kind of flowers and
colors.
Roses, the most common composition of potted
flowers, including orchids, and anthuriums have tripled from its prices off
season.
Dodong said the prices are dictated by demand and
supply.
As the picks up, prices are expected to increase further
by Saturday and Sunday, All Saints’ Day and on Monday, All Saints’ Day.
Small potted flowers that contained six pieces small
red roses with few leaves sells at P200 Friday morning. Tomorrow, it will be
P300 or even P500,” another vendor, Tenorio Salid, said.
Kristine Salazar of Barangay Rosary Heighs 11,
Cotabato City who was stunned by the cost of flowers three days before Undas,
backed off and decided to proceed to the Cotabato City mega market where she bought
assorted flowers at very reasonable prices.
I will arrange it myself,” she said in an
interview, showing bundles of red and white roses. I have this at about P100,”
Salazar said. At the flower shop, it may cost more than P500.” Is the Department of Trade monitoring this? a flower client asked as she queued to buy flowers for her dead relatives. She got no answer as flower vendors did not respond.