The Department of Agriculture (DA) has opened 10 Kadiwa Stores on Wednesday, April 22. The Kadiwa Stores are located in strategic points in Metro Manila. It aims to make fresh and affordable agricultural products accessible to the public.
To ensure that food supply is enough amid the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, the DA has made the operation of several major agricultural terminals 24/7 including the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal.
An estimate of more than 500 metric tons of fruits and vegetables will be transported in Luzon per day. The agency has also extended the validity of food passes of delivery vans with rice, vegetables, fish, meat and other farm-related products until April 30.
“Food vehicles, haulers, delivery vans or trucks must only be occupied by a driver and two helpers, in compliance with the precautionary and safety measures imposed by the government in line with the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine.”
The government has advised that only 3 people are allowed inside delivery cargoes to lessen the spread of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council Executive Committee has approved the additional loan for the Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ABROS). PhP 87.341 million has been allotted from the credit assistance program that will benefit 60 ABROS or 1,800 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries. The program aims to help the farmers in their livelihood. The department will also provide a training on Agri-Enterprise and financial literacy.
