MANILA, Philippines — Prices of palaspás — the hand‑woven palm fronds traditionally blessed and carried by Filipino Catholics on Palm Sunday — have risen in many parts of the country due to increasing fuel costs, vendors and parishioners reported.
Traders in major urban centers and provincial towns said the price of palaspás has climbed as transportation and production expenses grew alongside rising diesel and gasoline rates. For many vendors, surging fuel costs directly affected their ability to transport palm fronds from growing regions to local markets.
In areas such as Metro Manila, the price for a single strand of palaspás now ranges higher than in previous years, with some sellers attributing the surge to added freight and labor charges — both influenced, they say, by costly fuel. Churchgoers preparing to attend traditional Palm Sunday services acknowledged the price hike but said many were still willing to buy the ceremonial palms despite the added cost.
Parish volunteers and local Catholic leaders noted that while price changes are usually expected as Holy Week nears, the latest jump reflects a broader trend of higher commodity prices tied to elevated fuel rates and transportation expenses in the wider economy.
Some sellers also mentioned that competition and limited supply in certain areas contributed to localized price variations, with more premium or decorative arrangements costing significantly more than basic palm fronds.
Despite the uptick, many households still regard palaspás as an important tradition that ushers in Holy Week observances, and sales continued strong as worshippers made their way to Sunday services.
Economic observers say the increase in palaspás prices is symptomatic of how fuel price fluctuations ripple through local markets, affecting even small‑scale seasonal commodities.