Flower farmers in La Trinidad, Benguet, who were given the opportunity to sell their produce directly to consumers during the Undas season, reported strong sales, with many saying they were able to sell their entire harvest.
“We were able to sell our produce. In fact, many farmers were able to sell all their available flower harvest,” Andy Colti, a flower farmer-leader and farmer-scientist from Benguet, said in an interview Tuesday.
Colti said the La Trinidad municipal government established a temporary flower market at the parking area of the town’s public market ahead of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, collectively observed as Undas.
He said the arrangement benefited both farmers and buyers, who were able to negotiate prices directly with growers.
“It is not just the farmers who are happy because they were able to sell their produce. I am sure the buyers are also happy because they were able to ask for a bargain or discount directly from the farmers,” he said.
At least 120 stalls were set up at the designated selling area exclusively for flower farmers from La Trinidad.
Farmers from other Benguet towns were also allowed to sell their harvest through stalls operated by their La Trinidad counterparts, provided they knew a local farmer, Colti said.
He thanked the municipal government for passing an ordinance establishing a designated selling area for flower farmers during Undas, allowing them to sell directly to consumers instead of relying on traders who may offer lower prices.
“It was also a good experience because they saw what it is like to sell their produce. We are thankful to the local government unit for coming up with the ordinance to help flower farmers,” he added.
‘Generally peaceful’
Meanwhile, the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) reported that Undas 2026 was generally peaceful and orderly, with no major security incidents recorded at cemeteries, columbaria, memorial parks, and transport terminals.
BCPO information officer Maj. Marcy Grace Marron said four crime incidents and five vehicular traffic incidents were recorded from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. All were minor incidents involving physical injuries and property damage.
Initial assessments also showed no violations of imposed restrictions or confiscations of prohibited items during security inspections at the public cemetery.
However, some visitors voluntarily surrendered prohibited items at designated stop-and-frisk areas, mostly cigarettes and vape products. The items were returned to their owners when they left the cemetery, Marron said.
She said police security operations covered not only cemeteries and roads leading to them but also public gathering areas, including parks, tourist destinations, bus terminals, and the city market.
The areas also drew tourists and visitors from other provinces during the Undas long weekend.
BCPO data showed that about 45,000 people had visited the public cemetery alone from Oct. 31 to noon on Nov. 2.
The police earlier projected at least a 50 percent increase in cemetery visitors compared with the previous year, citing the long weekend and favorable weather conditions. (PNA)
