LAOAG CITY — The provincial government of Ilocos Norte is set to establish at least eight Kadiwa Centers or rolling stores in the province to sell basic goods and food items much lower than the prevailing market rates.
Meant to support local farmers and low-income families, Edision Natividad, head of the provincial government’s Small and Medium Enterprises Office, said Friday the Kadiwa centers will be set up in strategic sites accessible to people.
Natividad said the items to be sold in these rolling stores shall include rice, noodles, sugar, sardines, and coffee, as well as vegetables and poultry.
“The Kadiwa centers will be manned by Capitol employees during their outreach programs in the different towns and cities of the province,” he said, noting that the farm produce comes directly from farmers and the grocery items are sourced out directly from the manufacturers.
For Wilma Bulong of Baay village, she said the establishment of more rolling stores in the province is helpful for mothers who are on a tight budget.
“Instead of going to the grocery stores, I’ll just wait for the rolling stores pass by my house and buy what I need,” said Viernes in local language.
The Ilocos Norte government, through the initiative of Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa Marcos, adopted the Kadiwa project of her father, then president Ferdinand Marcos, to help those who are struggling to budget their day-to-day basic needs amid rising prices of basic commodities. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
