In line with the vision of of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide affordable and accessible food to every Filipino, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo was launched in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, today, March 1, 2023.
Kadiwa ng Pangulo, which forms part of the strategies of the Marcos administration to combat the effects of the high level of food inflation, was launched during the holiday season last year to provide farmers and fishers, as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs), a direct and stable market, and consumers affordable food items.
However, the President decided to sustain its implementation nationwide for the benefit of the food producers and consumers alike, as farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) directly sell fresh farm produce at low price.
“Binibigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang mga lokal na MSMEs na talagang nahirapan noong lockdown at kalakasan ng pandemya. Ito ay pagkakataon para iyong mga produkto naman na ginagawa ng mga lokal ay mabigyan ng merkado para mayroon silang mapuntahan at mapagbili ang kanilang mga magagandang produkto,” Pres. Marcos said.
According to the President, there are currently more than 500 Kadiwa operating all across the country. Aside from Batangas, Pres. Marcos launched the Cebu Kadiwa ng Pangulo last February 28.
“Pararamihin pa natin ang Kadiwa basta’t nagkakaisa at nagsasama lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan, lahat ng local government, at lahat ng ating mga producers at kasama ang ating mga magsasaka. Makikita natin na magiging matagumpay ang programang ito,” he said.
The government’s extended Kadiwa program is supported by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Interior and Local Government.
In Batangas, 12 farmers’ organizations and cooperatives participated, generating a substantial sales of P243, 475.75, according to the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS).
Among the FCA that joined were: Samahang Maggatas ng Batangas, Rosario Livestock and Agriculture Farming Cooperative, Pacheo Agrarian Reform Cooperatives, San Pedro Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Café Amadeo Development Cooperative, Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative, Siyudad Agrikultura, Simula Harvest, Ben and Lyn Chocolates Inc., Edna and Rebecca Banana Chips and Coated Peanuts, National Food Authority – Batangas branch, and Sugar Regulatory Administration. ### (Kristel Joyce Merle, DA-AFID)
