Agriculture Secretary William Dar welcomed the proposal of Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez to tie-up the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI’s) Diskwento Caravan with the Department of Agriculture’s (DA’s) Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Program.

“As in previous years, the DTI has been a strong ally and partner. Hence, we more than welcome the suggestion of Secretary Lopez that we include discounted manufactured goods in the marketing of agri-fishery products in all Kadiwa outlets and platforms,” secretary Dar said.

Hence, in the coming days, with the partnership the Kadiwa and Diskwento Caravan would be like a mini-grocery store but with more affordable goods,” he added.

Having similar objectives in enhancing the availability and accessibility of affordable basic commodities, the tie-up will benefit more families in urban areas affected by the enhanced community quarantine due to COVID-19.

For his part, secretary Lopez said the DTI will coordinate with the DA to join in the scheduled Kadiwa activities.

Under DA’s Plant Plant Plant Program or Ahon Lahat, Pagkain Sapat (ALPAS) Kontra COVID-19, the upscaled Kadiwa features three platforms that cater to the different needs of consumers, namely: Kadiwa Retail, Kadiwa On Wheels, and Kadiwa Online.

The proposed Kadiwa-Diskwento Caravan tie-up was raised during the first meeting of the Food and Water Security Task Group, chaired by secretary Dar, on April 17, 2020.

The group is composed of government agencies, whose representatives discussed measures to ensure the continued supply of food and water during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. The group’s priority areas include food production, food availability and accessibility, food affordability, water and energy for agriculture, household, and industrial uses, and emerging areas of concern such as food logistics. ### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID)

Reference:
Noel Ocampo Reyes
DA Spokesperson & A/Sec for Strategic Comms
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