Marcos signs deal on Kadiwa in LGUs

MANILA, Philippines — Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) centers will be set up in local government units nationwide as part of President Marcos’ long-term plan to bring local agricultural products closer to consumers.

“The national government cannot bring affordable food to all if we will not partner with the local government,” Marcos said on July 17.

Marcos signed a memorandum of agreement with other government agencies to establish KNP centers nationwide.

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.

Agricultural commodities such as rice, sugar and onions are being sold at Kadiwa centers at lower prices.

The ceremonial signing in Pampanga was followed by the distribution of family food packs and P3,000 financial assistance to 490 Pampanga residents.

Livelihood grants were also awarded to 13 Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) beneficiaries.

Signatories to the agreement include the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government, Presidential Communications Office and the Presidential Management Staff.

Meanwhile, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman filed the Magna Carta for Agricultural Workers, which will register farmers and fisherfolk under the Kadiwa program to help them sell their produce.

A pricing scheme shall also be in place for registered agricultural workers to prevent losses incurred by the low prices set on their goods.

Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2021 poverty statistics, fisherfolk have the highest poverty rate at 30.6 percent, followed by farmers at 30 percent.

SLP products

As more KNP centers will be set up nationwide, SLP associations are expected to offer various products such as bags, belts, wallets and various food delicacies at Kadiwa Centers, according to the DSWD.

The Tarlac Home for Women and the Regional Home for Girls will also sell delicacies, such as peanut nougat, cashew nougat, coated sugar peanut, mixed nuts, peanut, bagnet, bagoong, kakanin ube, cassava, kalamay, buko juice, guapple, chicharon and doormat products.

A total of 81 provinces participated in the simultaneous launch of the KNP. — Sheila Crisostomo