00:00 The shelf life of most freshly cut flowers is a couple days and then they shrivel up and die.
00:05 A fact not lost on a young working professional who sees veggies and produce as the way to go to gift one's beloved on love's holiday.
00:14 Our Claizel Pordelia features this novel idea for a Valentine's offering to the beloved in her special report.
00:26 Jerome opted to pass up on flowers and chocolates as a Valentine's gift for his special someone.
00:33 Instead of heading to Dangua or to the mall to buy a gift, he went straight to the Kagiwa store.
00:39 There he found a bouquet of vegetables perfect for Chapsui, Pakbet, and other dishes.
00:47 There were also baskets of fruits and eggs with accompanying condiments.
00:53 Prices ranged from only 100 to 700 pesos.
00:58 "Chocolate is an overrated food. It's not good for your health.
01:05 But here, it's good for your family. If we're together, our relationship will be healthy."
01:12 If you were to receive these kinds of gifts, would you approve them?
01:17 "I would. It's better for everyone. Flowers are just a waste. You'll be full if you eat them."
01:24 This Valentine's Day, the Department of Agriculture encourages the idea of giving practical and nutritious items like vegetables, eggs, and rice as gifts.
01:37 "Flowers are expensive these days. I think my wives and girlfriends will be happier if I give them something practical."
01:46 "Stunting is a common problem in Bicol, Visayas, and Mindanao, especially in the farm areas.
01:53 Eggs are a great help to avoid malnutrition and stunting."
01:59 According to the Philippine Egg Board Association or PEBA, egg demand is low while the supply is abundant.
02:07 With a farm gate price of 6 pesos and 50 centavos per piece, the smallest eggs have now dropped to 4 pesos and 70 centavos each.
02:18 "What's happening to us is that the price is extremely high. Now, it's very low.
02:27 Generally, we are below production cost. That's the reason why our farmers are selling or reducing their chickens."
02:41 At the Commonwealth Market, egg trays are now 50 pesos cheaper.
02:46 "Before, the price of the smallest eggs was 200 pesos. Now, the price of the smallest eggs is 150 pesos."
02:55 "How much is the price of the smallest eggs?"
02:57 "It's only 5 pesos now."
02:59 "It's a huge reduction. It's a huge thing because we are saving money. We are now able to buy food."
03:05 The Egg Lairs Group's appeal, help the local producers.
03:10 "If you are going to celebrate any events, if we used to save money on the milk plan, now, we can use the milk plan."
03:22 While the prices of eggs is low, the price of tomatoes, on the other hand, is high.
03:28 For example, this pack of tomatoes, which used to cost 5 pesos for 6 pieces, now sells for 20 pesos.
03:36 "Before, it was 30 pesos to 40 pesos. Now, it's 90 pesos."
03:43 "We don't have many farmers. That's why the price has gone up."
03:48 "Now, the price of tomatoes is high. That's why we only sell onions, garlic, and fish sauce."
03:59 The Agriculture Department explains, because of the cold and rainy weather in Southern Tagalog,
04:05 the usual 10 cropping seasons have been reduced to 7.
04:09 However, the agency assures to make up for the necessary supply so prices will return to normal.
04:17 Keleza Pardilla, for the new and better republic.
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