The provincial government of Benguet on Tuesday assured ample supply of various kinds of flowers as the nation observes All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1 and 2, or what is known as Undas.
“We have a sufficient supply of flowers for everybody because there was not much damage to flowers during (Severe Tropical Storm) Kristine,” Delinia Juan, chief of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), said in a message on Tuesday.
A report furnished to the Philippine News Agency showed that supply for the upcoming Undas includes 11,315,442 dozens of assorted cut flowers, 811,816 dozens of roses, 301,250 dozens of gladiola, 37,956 dozens of white calla lilies, 9,093.944 dozens of chrysanthemums, 304,688 dozens of anthuriums, 204,400 dozens of statice, 58,710 dozens of baby’s breath, 23,393 carnations, 141,650 asters, 281,365 alstroemerias, 1,075 lisianthus, 2,662 dozens of gerbera, 6,551 dozens of agapanthus, 3,000 dozens of melflores, and 42,981 sunflowers.
A stalk of stargazer with four flowers is sold for PHP300, different shades of carnations and gerbera are sold at PHP100 for three stalks, a stem of African lotus costs PHP200, while a ginber torch used for accent is sold at PHP35 apiece.
Small yellow mums cost PHP200 a bundle or two dozens of stems, while other colors are sold at PHP180 a bundle.
Benguet is one of the country’s major sources of flowers, particularly the municipalities of La Trinidad, Tublay, and Atok.
Juan, however, noted that farmers are worried about the lack of buyers given the economic impact of Kristine.
“We are afraid of the buying capacity of the public in time of the observance of the occasion,” she said.
Juan also cited transportation issues for some flowers because some areas remain flooded.
The city government of Baguio has allowed the selling of flowers and candles at the People’s Park, both for wholesale and retail buyers, until Nov. 3, an annual activity that provides an opportunity for local flower sellers and farmers to sell their produce in a more accessible area.
Rowena Bulatan, one of the sellers at the People’s Park, urged buyers to buy early while prices are still low. (PNA)
