Kadiwa stores now in Cebu

CEBU - Following the success of the “Kadiwa ng Pasko” during the Christmas season, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. launched the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” in Cebu City to provide consumers with fresh and affordable agricultural and fishery products.

Marcos, who was here last week, said he is happy over the expansion of Kadiwa caravan, noting that it would not only help Filipinos cope with the effects of rising food prices but also increase the income of local farmers, fisherfolk and small enterprises.

“Dati ang nagsimula nito ay ‘yung Kadiwa ng Pasko. Gumawa ng Kadiwa para noong Christmas season. Iyon lamang ay napuna namin ay napaka popular at gustong-gusto ng tao dahil nga naman ay may bilihin na mas mura kaysa sa makukuha sa labas,” Marcos said.

“Kaya’t habang tumagal ang panahon tapos na ang Pasko ay sabi ko dapat naman siguro ay ipatuloy na natin kaya’t naging Kadiwa ng Pangulo na ngayon ay simulan natin dito sa Cebu,” he added.

The Kadiwa program is a farm-to-consumer market chain that eliminates intermediaries, allowing local producers to generate higher income by selling their produce directly to consumers.

Marcos, who also serves as Department of Agriculture secretary, earlier vowed to extend the Kadiwa program beyond the Christmas season to continue to help Filipinos amid the rising cost of basic commodities due to inflation.

He said there are more than 500 Kadiwa stores throughout the country, adding that the government’s plan to launch Kadiwa para sa Manggagawa will be led by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

“Patuloy po naming gagawin ito, padadamihin natin, palalakihin natin at pararamihin natin mas importante ay paramihin lalo na sa mga lugar na talagang hirap ang tao at hindi pa kaya ang mga presyuhan kung nasa palengkes. Kaya’t ito na ang aming sagot doon sa nagiging krisis dito sa ating pagkain sa ating pagtaas ng presyo,” he said. (Cebu Examiner)