LGU Butuan conducts price monitoring for flowers, candles under Oplan Undas 2026
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The city government of Butuan-City Permits and Licensing Division (CBPLD), recently conducted a price monitoring activity under Oplan Undas 2026 to monitor the prices of flowers and candles sold at retail establishments.
For the CBPLD, the activity held on October 26 was initiated in anticipation of increased demand for flowers and candles during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, ensuring fair pricing to protect consumers during this period of high demand.
It also supported the LGU’s issuance of Executive Order No. 025, series of 2026, entitled “An Executive Order Further Reconstituting the Local Price Coordinating Council, Its Composition, Powers and Functions and for Other Purposes.”
Together with the Butuan City Economic and Business Development Department and the Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Norte, they inspected prices and enough supply of flowers and candles in commercial areas, including marketable items sold at the cemetery like bottled water.
According to Eleisa Magallanes, a flower vendor for 18 years, prices will increase from October 31 to November 2, 2026 due to higher logistical costs.
“Despite the increase in prices, people would still buy flowers for their dearly departed,” she said.
“However, we make sure that the increase is fair and just. Undas is a peak season for our business, so we expect higher income this time,” Magallanes added.
Meanwhile, the city government under the leadership of Mayor Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun has strengthened its preparedness for a peaceful and meaningful observance of this year’s Undas.
It also declared a class and work suspension to give ample time for Butuanons to prepare for their respective Undas itinerary.
For October 30, classes in all levels and government work are suspended at 12 noon. But, heads of offices in the private sector are given a free hand for their schedules.
Class suspension at all levels will continue until October 31, 2026. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands, with a report from Butuan City PIO)