In the face of scorching temperatures, traders in La Trinidad, Benguet have to deal with their vegetables spoiling even before the day ends. 

"Talagang wala [akong] magawa kasi masisira talaga [yung gulay] sa hapon, ‘yung iba itinatago ko nalang," Maritess Velasco, a vegetable vendor, said.

Because her vegetables get wilted by noon, Velasco is forced to give away unsold vegetables by nightfall. 

Simultaneously, prices of highland vegetables have surged due to limited supply.

"May farm kami na malapit sa ilog [kaya] swerte kami… doon kasi, ‘yun lang ang mag-survive [sa init], pero sa bundok, talagang hindi ‘yun mag-survive," Rex Luis, president of the Benguet Vegetables Farmers and Vendors Association, said.

Farmers anticipate another increase in vegetable prices leading up to the Holy Week.

"[Ang price] per kilo sampung piso ang itinaas, hindi kagaya kasi dati na maraming gulay; ngayon, kaunti," Vandolf Cervantes, another vegetable vendor, said.

As of this writing, the prices of vegetables per kilogram in La Trinidad, according to the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post, stand as follows:

Chinese Cabbage: P40 (from P15-20)
Cabbage: P40-50 (from P20)
Potatoes: P80-100 (from P50)