With Valentine’s Day just days away, the prices of flowers in Mangaldan, Pangasinan have doubled, with a bundle of roses now selling for P1,000 to P1,300, up from P500 last year.
Flower shop owners blame the price increase on higher costs from suppliers in Dangwa and Baguio.
"Tumaas, ang taas ngayon. Kahit magpunta ka ng Dangwa, mahal na ang presyo. Sa Baguio, ganun din. Ang isang bundle ng rose ngayon eh P1,000 to P1,3000. Eh dati, nakukuha namin sa P500," Fe Alcantara Jimenez, a flower shop owner, said.
The prices in Mangaldan are as follows:
- Roses: P80-P100 per stem
- Sunflower bouquet: P350-P500
- Mixed flower bouquet: P1,200-P1,500 (depending on flower types)
- Stargazer lilies: P700 (previously P600)
- Imported Ecuadorian roses: P350-P500 per stem
“Para sa akin po, mas maganda magpa-reserve na para hindi hassle sa araw ng Valentine’s,” Patrick Baylon, who already pre-ordered flowers for his loved one, said.
ALTERNATIVE BOUQUETS
Aside from fresh flowers, crochet bouquets are trending among younger buyers.
These handcrafted floral arrangements cost P300 to P600, depending on the design.
“Diba yung mga millennials po, sumusabay sa uso, ganito ganyan, so ‘yon yung mga mabenta sa amin,” Jenia Ungria, a flower vendor, said.
Some flower shops in Mangaldan will stop accepting pre-orders by February 13 due to high demand.
