PRICES of key ingredients for binignit showed mixed movements at Bankerohan Public Market as of April 1, 2026, as demand builds ahead of Holy Week, with several items increasing while others remained stable.
Banana and root crop prices posted moderate increases from last week. Saging cardava rose to ₱30 per kilo from ₱25, while saba increased to ₱65 from ₱60. Kamote climbed to ₱45 from ₱40, while gabi rose to ₱70 from ₱65.
Sago recorded the sharpest increase, doubling to ₱120 per kilo from ₱60, with smaller servings sold at ₱10 per cup. Langka also surged, with seedless portions rising to ₱250 per kilo from ₱180.
Some items, however, held steady. Landang remained at ₱90 per kilo, while vanilla flavoring stayed at ₱5 per pack. Lubi (coconut) continued to sell at ₱80 per kilo, with per-piece prices ranging from ₱25 to ₱30. Sugar also remained unchanged at ₱80 per kilo and ₱40 per half kilo.
Vendors said they began adjusting prices as Holy Week approached, when demand for binignit ingredients typically increases. However, they noted a shift in buying behavior, with customers becoming more cautious.
Vendor Jun-jun Sayson said sellers kept price increases minimal to avoid discouraging buyers.
“Singko ra ang gitaas kay kung pa tas'an nimo labo kaayo ma halin kay tungod sa ka pait. Dili kaayo sya halinon, kagahapon pa ni nga display hantod karon naa pa (We only increased it by P5 because if you raise it more, it becomes very hard to sell due to the high price. It’s not selling well—this has been on display since yesterday and is still unsold)," he said.
On the supply side, vendors said sourcing goods has become more expensive. Higher fuel prices have driven up transportation costs, especially for products coming from Bukidnon and Calinan, which are then reflected in retail prices.
Vendor Obeta Sumaliling said both seasonal demand and supplier costs contributed to price increases.
“Nagtaas mi gamay kay Holy Week na, tapos mahal pud ang langkatan karon or pag palit sa supplier (We increased prices slightly because it’s already Holy Week, and jackfruit is also expensive from suppliers)," she said.
She added that delivery fees have also increased, making it more costly for vendors to maintain supply. As a result, sellers adjust prices while trying to keep them affordable for customers.
Despite rising prices, vendors observed that many consumers now buy in smaller quantities instead of in bulk, reflecting tighter household budgets.
Sellers said such fluctuations are common during peak seasons like Holy Week, when demand rises, but supply chains face pressure from higher costs and limited availability. JAIMA M. PANDICAL/DORSU, SUNSTAR INTERN