Soaring Oil Prices Push Up Palm Branch Prices, Filipinos Pay Nearly Double for Holy Water Blessing

(Philippines, 30th) — On Sunday (March 29), the Philippines celebrated Palm Sunday. Due to rising oil prices, the cost of palm branches used on this day nearly doubled. Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, also known as 'Passion Sunday.' In the predominantly Catholic Philippines, grand parades and Masses are held each year, with each believer carrying a bundle of palm branches to be blessed by priests with holy water in church.

The Middle East conflict has caused international oil prices to surge, significantly increasing the production and transportation costs of palm leaf handicrafts. Vendors have had no choice but to raise prices, with the retail price of palm branches rising from last year's 25 pesos each (about 1.87 MYR) to 35 pesos. Those adorned with delicate decorations sell for 40 to 45 pesos, nearly doubling in price. Typically, believers hang the blessed palm branches on the doors and windows of their homes to pray for peace and to commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus.