CEBU CITY – Weather disturbances, particularly the subsequent typhoons that hit Northern Luzon since September, have decreased the supply and quality of flowers in Cebu and Luzon, which is said to have caused prices of fresh blooms to rise above the usual All Souls’ Day rates.

“Wala ka-timing ang mga nananom ug buwak. Imbis 500 ka dosena ang ma-harvest sa farms, 100 nalang (Flower farmers had bad timing. Instead of the expected 500 dozens, they were only able to harvest 100),” said Lucia Gacayan in the local dialect. Gacayan owns stall 79 at Freedom Park 1 in Carbon market, Cebu City.

Alexander Monteclar, owner of Interfloral Flower Shop on Pelaez St. in Cebu City, echoed Gacayan's statement. He said strong typhoons like Ondoy and Pepeng saw a major decrease in Luzon's production of flowers. But consequently, he said, the volume of Cebu-grown flowers sent to Manila increased because of the observance of All Souls’ Day.

“Most of the high quality flowers had to be sent to Manila where demand has increased,” Monteclar said.
He noted chrysanthemums and wonder whites are the types of flowers that are usually sent to Manila.

But Monteclar said flower shops in Cebu also purchase such flowers as Malaysian mums, gerbera, lilium and Holland roses from Baguio City.

In an interview with Manila Bulletin, Teresita Jaca of the Cebu City Economic Enterprise Revenue Collection Section said apart from Manila, there is also strong demand for Cebu-grown flowers in Iloilo and Bacolod.

Jaca however lamented that sales revenues of local flower vendors have dropped this year compared to last year even if Cebu has been spared from the devastation of the typhoons.

“If there is growth, it’s only five percent,” she said.
Monteclar shared that his flower business used to earn P5,000 a day but this year, it has dropped between P2,000 to P3,000 per day.