In a step towards enhancing food accessibility in the Philippines, the Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) on Thursday announced a partnership with various farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives to rapidly expand the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA), aims to establish Kadiwa outlets nationwide, offering affordable food and basic goods, particularly to vulnerable sectors of society.
The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed by DA officials and representatives from several cooperatives. DA assistant secretary Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra emphasized the initiative’s dual purpose: providing consumers with affordable options while ensuring farmers receive fair compensation for their produce.
“We want our farmers and fisherfolk to get more value for their products, securing for them more income that will incentivize them to produce more,” Guevarra said. “This partnership exemplifies the bayanihan spirit, showcasing the collaboration between government and private sectors crucial for implementing effective programs.”
Under the guidance of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr., the DA aims to launch Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores in every town and city across the country. The effort is designed to alleviate the financial burden faced by ordinary Filipinos by providing access to affordable, nutritious food, allowing them to budget their finances for other essential needs.
An initial rollout of 20 Kadiwa stores is scheduled for Friday, 11 October, across various locations in Metro Manila and Calamba, Laguna. Notably, the new outlets will operate seven days a week, a departure from existing Kadiwa stores that typically open only 2-3 days per week.
Cooperatives like the Pantao Fisherfolks Consumers Cooperative and SRT Alcala Multi-purpose Cooperative will play a vital role in supplying essential commodities, including rice priced at P43 under the Rice-for-All program and P29 per kilo for specific groups, such as senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities.
The DA has ambitious plans for continued expansion, intending to open 10 to 15 new Kadiwa outlets each month until December 2024, followed by further growth across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao in 2025. The ultimate goal is to establish at least one Kadiwa store in each of the 1,500 municipalities, promoting a “farm-to-market” approach that reduces reliance on middlemen and boosts farmers’ revenues.
The locations for the initial Kadiwa stores include communities in Caloocan, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Pasig, Navotas, and Quezon City, strategically chosen to enhance accessibility for residents seeking fresh and affordable food options.
This expansion of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program represents a proactive approach to address food security issues while fostering a stronger connection between farmers and consumers, paving the way for a more sustainable agricultural future in the Philippines.
