Only a few days before Valentine’s Day, the demand for and prices of flowers at Libertad, Pasay City has seen a substantial surge.

As of Monday, February 9, the price of a dozen-rose bouquet has tripled from ₱500 to ₱1,500, while a seven-piece rose bouquet is now ₱800 from ₱600. Three roses now cost ₱350 compared to ₱250 previously, and a single rose has doubled in price, from ₱60 to ₱120, reported RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort.

Bouquets of assorted flowers, which were ₱700 before, are now being sold at ₱1,200. A sunflower each costs ₱900 from ₱600 before.

Flower stall owners said that it is possible that bouquet prices at ₱500 may increase to ₱1,000 on Valentine’s Day itself.

They said they remain unaffected by online sellers as products purchased online, once received by buyers, mostly differ from their pictures.