Frost or “andap” covered parts of Benguet early morning on Monday, December 29, 2025, after temperatures dropped to near-freezing levels, affecting vegetable farms in the highlands, according to weather officials.

Video footage from Barangay Paoay in Atok, Benguet showed frost forming on crops and plants.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the temperature in Atok dropped to 10.6 degrees Celsius, one of the factors that caused frost to form on vegetation.

PAGASA added that colder temperatures are expected in mountainous and elevated areas of Northern Luzon in January and February 2026 due to the northeast monsoon, or amihan.

Despite the frost, traders said there is no visible problem with the supply of highland vegetables. Records from the La Trinidad Trading Post showed that vegetable supply remains sufficient, and many of the affected crops are already near harvest.

Rex Luis, president of the Benguet Vegetable Farmers and Dealers Association, said mature crops are more resilient to frost.

“Medyo lumaki na ang mga [bunga] kaya kayang-kaya na. Kung maliit lang [ang bunga], medyo madali siya,” Luis said.

Farmers in Benguet said they are already familiar with the measures needed when frost hits their fields. Several interventions are in place to prevent serious damage to crops.

Rowel Laroya, a farmer from Atok, said they monitor their farms closely during the coldest hours.

“Sa madaling araw, alas tres, alas kwatro, [naka-monitor na kami sa mga pananim] baka naanuhan ng ice sa rainburst,” Laroya said.