Healthy bouquet on Valentine’s Day by DA, anyone?
By Gene V. Baquiran
Instead of giving fresh flowers to your loved ones this coming Valentine’s Day, the Department of Agriculture here has its own version of healthy bouquet.
While it gives a new ray of romantic excitement, the receiver can cook it for a healthy meal after taking pictures of it. As they say in Filipino “walang sayang”.
Unlike the usual fresh flowers that will wither after how many days, the DA is encouraging everyone to give his or her loved ones a healthy bouquet. With this, buyers are not only showing their love to their loved ones but also their love to local farmers as they are helping them sell their produce.
During this time of pandemic where prices of basic commodities are at its peak, one should always consider being economical while maintaining good health – and that is love by itself.
On February 1, no less than Regional Executive Director Narciso Edillo launched the project dubbed as #SharetheLove during their traditional Monday Flag Raising program at the DA grounds.
During the launching, the different department heads bannered their healthy bouquet which comes in three sets according to Edillo.
Set A is a Pakbet Bouquet for only P300.00. This is composed of assorted vegetables for cooking “pinakbet” – a well-loved indigenous dish in the northern part of the country. One may also choose the Chopsuey Bouquet for only P350.00.
The Set B is composed of Cagayan Valley products like chips from fruits and vegetables and other agricultural products from our own local producers which is sold for only P1,000.00 while the Set C is composed of native fruit basket amounting to P500.00.
As delivery services are also the ‘in’ now, these bouquets can also be delivered right at the doorstep of the recipient on Valentine’s Day through the department’s local partner delivery services.
By booking through cellphone number 0977-471-6145, all these are on pre-order basis for delivery on February 14 through its delivery partners namely E-Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Online, 2gue2wheels, Necess-City and Ganaby Delivery.
The DA said it has partnered with these local delivery services as one way also to help them this pandemic.
Why choose these bouquets?
During the pandemic, many of our small farmers and producers were affected and as an agency that ensures food security and food safety, DA is continuously doing its best to provide support to its sector.
By ordering a bouquet, we are not only being practical but it’s our own farmers that we are patronizing.
Aside from these, all products particularly fresh fruits and vegetables are pesticide-safe as guaranteed by the department. So before you buy for a thousand-worth of fresh flowers, why not choose any from these healthy bouquet offers and make a difference. After all, what makes Valentine’s Day more meaningful is by sharing love- not only for your dear loved ones but also to our modern heroes today, our farmers. (MDCT/GVB/PIA 2-Cagayan)
