MORE EXPENSIVE SERVICES
Despite the increase in rates, those who visited the graves of their departed ones continued to avail of the services being offered
Small vendors who look forward to the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day holidays for quick bucks have had to increase their prices, as materials they use in their businesses have also become more expensive.
Marilou Labiaga, 56, who manages her brother’s gravestone-making business, said that they didn’t have a choice but to increase their prices.
“Nangmahal naman ang mga materyales. Naa gihapo’y mamalit pero depende rapud lagi kung
makasapi sila (The cost of materials went up. We still have buyers but it also depends if they have money),” she told SunStar Cebu.
Last year, many customers would begin availing of their services by September and October.
It was different for her this year. Last year, they charged P800 for their most affordable gravestone, This year, the rate has gone up to P1,200.
She attributed this to the more expensive granite, steel and other materials.
Jimmel Morales, who is part of the Niche Lighting Association at the Carreta Cemetery, noted that some of their customers complained higher rate
for grave lights, although they are having lightbulbs installed anyway.
“Ubay-ubay raman tuod nuon
ang nagpataud,” he said. Morales said that the cost for lighting rises by about P10 every year. This year, the rate for grave lights is P280 for three days.
For pensioner Flora Matela, 72, it was a significant amount.
“Ingon sila nga nangmahal ang materyales. Unsa kaha nga materyales nga mga mugbo nga wire
raman ang panggamiton. Pero sige lang kay kausa raman sad sa usa ka
tuig (They said the materials have become expensive. What materials are they talking about? These are short wires. But then again, it’s only once a year),” she said.
Matela said that she asked to install lights for her deceased brother and parents.
Carenderia owner Soping Solidea, who hails from Barangay Mambaling, said that she didn’t mind the increase in the price.
“It’s not always that we get to visit and offer candles, flowers and prayers to those who are already at peace. It’s just once a year so we owe it to them to at least show that we still remember them,” she said.
Candle vendor Rosa Pacheco said that she also increased her prices because the prices of wax she uses to make candles and the wick also surged.
“Akong supplier niingon ang wax sa una tag P4,000 ra. Karon P4,600 na. Mao nang ubang kandila
nipis (My supplier told me that wax that used to be sold at P4,000 is now P4,600. If you notice, candles are thinner now),” she said.
Christopher Abella, 37, who maintains several graves for re-painting and cleaning, said that the increase in the prices of goods should not stop one from working hard.
“You have to canvass. Competition is tough, but you have to do what you can so you can earn money and eventually eat,” he said.