By Katrina Gracia Consebido
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. launched on Wednesday, March 8, the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) Para sa Manggagawa” at the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) head office in Quezon City.
The KNP outlet is part of the nationwide expansion of Kadiwa centers to give Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and micro, small, and medium enterprises a platform to sell directly to consumers and earn more.
“Ito po ay aming sinimulan noong Pasko at nakikita po naman na natin na pataas nang pataas ang presyo ng mga bilihin kaya’t ginawan namin ng paraan,” Marcos said, noting that this project is part of the administration’s plan to mitigate rising inflation’s impact.
“At binalikan natin ‘yung dating sistema na idirekta na mula sa mga magsasaka hanggang dito sa Kadiwa ay hindi na dumadaan kung saan-saan pa na middleman,” he added.
He said the government is employing measures to help transport products to the Kadiwa to bring down prices.
“Kaya’t nakikita natin marami tayong nababalitaan na nagtataasan ang presyo. Dito po sa Kadiwa ay makikita natin na malaki ang savings, malaki ang bawas doon sa presyuhan,” he said.
He also acknowledged the significant role of the labor force in the economic progress of the country.
“[Napakalaki] ng ating labor force, napakadami ng mahihirapan kung talagang hindi natin alagaan nang mabuti at bantayan nang mabuti ang kanilang kalagayan habang yumayaman ang Pilipinas ay maganda ang takbo na ngayon ng ekonomiya,” he said.
“Palaki nang palaki na ang ekonomiya natin. Naipagmamalaki natin na ang performance dito sa Pilipinas ay siguro katumbas na kung hindi mas maganda pa sa mga iba’t ibang bansa,” he continued.
The President also thanked government agencies for working together to open Kadiwa outlets across the country.
Malacañang said there were 33 participating sellers on Wednesday from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Quezon City government. -ag