BAGUIO CITY — KADIWA ng Pangulo, a flagship initiative of the Department of Agriculture, has proven to be far more than just a marketplace. For highland vegetable farmers in the Cordilleras, it is rapidly becoming Katuparan ng Pangako—the fulfillment of a promise of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a better deal for farmers.
On June 4 and again on June 9–10, approximately 2,100 kilograms (or 2.1 tons) of assorted highland vegetables from Benguet were delivered to consumers and KADIWA stores in Pampanga and Metro Manila.
These efforts reflect the realization of President Marcos’ vision in reviving the KADIWA program—originally launched by his father decades ago—to ensure affordable, locally sourced produce reaches Filipino households.
The shipment included carrots, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, bell peppers, tomatoes, and other fresh produce worth nearly P116,000. These were sourced directly from local farmers’ groups—the Cadahill Farmers Agricultural Cooperative, Balili Balik Pinas OFW Association, and Green Express Farmers Association in Mankayan, Benguet—ensuring that profits go straight to the farmers.
The effort was led by the DA-Cordillera’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), which aims to connect surplus-producing farmers in the highlands with consumers in urban centers.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the KADIWA is part of a broader push to modernize Philippine agriculture.
“We’re not just providing farmers a place to sell. We’re building the logistics network—cold storage, transport links—that extends agricultural commodities’ shelf life, boosts income, and lowers food prices for everyone,” he said.
For farmers like Rosita Muñoz, president of the Cadahill Farmers Agricultural Cooperative, KADIWA is more than a trading platform—it’s a lifeline. “Mayat ta makatulong ti farmer ta isuda (DA) iti umay nga mangideliver from our garden to the market… Makatulong met lang ti Kadiwa kadakami nga makabirok ti link mi nga paglakuan ti nateng mi,” she said. (KADIWA helps bring our produce from farm to market, reduce costs, and connect us with buyers.)
By eliminating middlemen and subsidizing transport, KADIWA enables farmers to earn more while making food more affordable for consumers. What began as a temporary food access solution has steadily evolved into a long-term response to farmers’ age-old marketing challenges—delivering on the promise of a more inclusive, resilient agricultural future
