By Brian Jules Campued
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is targeting to open Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites in Visayas and Mindanao next month, with at least 60 stores to be available nationwide.
In a statement Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said this is part of the agency’s plan to widen its store network and provide affordable farm commodities to the vulnerable sector, including beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The program also allows farmers’ cooperatives and associations to directly sell their produce to consumers, maximizing their returns.
“We expect to have at least 60 Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores across the country next month to provide more Filipinos with greater access to affordably priced agricultural products, including the P29 per kilo rice intended for vulnerable sectors,” Laurel said.
He also said that the DA is coordinating with some food manufacturers to supply other goods like canned sardines, cooking oil, condiments, fresh fish, and poultry products, among others.
“We’re also talking to manufacturers of other basic goods like condiments, sugar, and canned goods to help ease the financial challenges of Filipinos and actualize President Marcos’ vision to provide every Filipino family with affordably priced food on their table,” the DA chief added.
In total, the DA plans to operate at least 1,500 Kadiwa outlets in each municipality nationwide with the help of the private sector.
“We have identified at least 650 sites for the KADIWA ng Pangulo stores. But for us to reach the 1,500 target, we need to open at least one store a day, which is almost impossible. That’s why we need the private sector’s collaboration in this project,” Laurel said. – av