(Photo courtesy of PNA)
BAGUIO CITY — Flower growers in La Trinidad, Benguet, reported brisk sales during the Undas observance after the municipal government allowed them to sell their harvest directly to consumers, eliminating the need for middlemen.
Andy Colti, a flower farmer-leader and farmer-scientist from Benguet, said Tuesday that many growers managed to sell their entire flower harvest during the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day period.
“We were able to sell our produce. In fact, many farmers were able to sell all their available flower harvest,” Colti said.
The La Trinidad municipal government established a temporary flower market at the parking area of the town’s public market to accommodate local growers ahead of the annual observance.
At least 120 stalls were designated exclusively for flower farmers from La Trinidad, providing them with a venue to sell their products directly to customers visiting cemeteries and memorial parks.
Colti said the arrangement benefited both farmers and consumers, as buyers were able to negotiate prices and request discounts without going through traders.
“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.
Flower growers from other municipalities in Benguet were also permitted to sell their harvest through stalls operated by La Trinidad farmers, provided they had arrangements with local growers.
Colti thanked the municipal government for approving an ordinance establishing a designated selling area during Undas, saying the initiative helped farmers secure better returns for their produce.
He noted that direct selling also gave farmers valuable experience in marketing their products and interacting with customers.
“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.
Undas observance generally peaceful in Baguio
Meanwhile, the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) reported that the Undas 2026 observance was generally peaceful and orderly, with no major security incidents recorded at cemeteries, memorial parks, columbaria, and transportation terminals.
BCPO information officer Maj. Marcy Grace Marron said authorities documented four crime incidents and five vehicular traffic incidents from October 31 to November 2.
The incidents were classified as minor and involved physical injuries and property damage.
Police also reported no major violations of restrictions imposed at the public cemetery, while security inspections resulted in no confiscations of prohibited items.
However, several visitors voluntarily surrendered cigarettes and vape products at designated security checkpoints. The items were returned when their owners left the cemetery.
Marron said police operations covered cemeteries, access roads, parks, tourist attractions, bus terminals, and the city market, which experienced increased activity during the long weekend.
According to BCPO records, approximately 45,000 people visited the Baguio public cemetery from October 31 until noon on November 2.
Authorities had earlier anticipated at least a 50 percent increase in cemetery visitors compared with the previous year, citing the extended holiday weekend and favorable weather.
Despite the increased movement of residents and tourists, police said the observance remained generally orderly, with security personnel deployed across major public areas.
