WESTERN VISAYAS – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6 has joined forces with various government agencies to mark the nationwide launch of “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” (KNP) on July 17, 2023.
The launching was held in various locations in all provinces across Western Visayas. This program aims to revolutionize the agricultural sector by allowing farmers to sell their produce directly at higher prices while offering ordinary consumers affordable goods.
This is in line with the recently signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between key agencies, with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Presidential Communications Office, Presidential Management Staff, and the Local Government Units (LGUs) as affirmation to their commitment of the expansion of the Kadiwa program. The collaborative MOA between agencies and local government units (LGUs) emphasizes shared responsibility in providing affordable and ample food for Filipino families.
Representatives from the DTI Provincial Offices and other key agencies joined the local farmers, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) distributors in this one-day event. Aklan had 10 participants, including two BNPC distributors, 8 MSMEs, and 33 other individuals selling agricultural products. Antique participated with 21 attendees, including one retailer and 20 MSMEs while Capiz had 51 participants, including 7 BNPC distributors and 44 DTI, DA/OPA, DSWD, and PTCAO-assisted MSMEs. Guimaras, on the other hand, had 8 participants, with four MSMEs, three BNPC retailers, and one distributor while Iloilo had 14 MSMEs joining the launch. Negros Occidental featured two key participants, a single MSME, and one BNPC representative.
The activity garnered total sales of Php773,835 featuring a diverse array of both food and non-food products. Among the products that were showcased are an assortment of fruits and vegetables, coffee and cacao-based products, processed foods, virgin coconut oil, sugar, herbal tea, fruit juices, wine, delicacies, condiments, mushroom products, baking goods, and a variety of bread and pastries, among others. In addition to the food items, the event also showcased a wide range of non-food products, including handcrafted bamboo items, crochet/raffia products, bags, LPG, hardware and construction supplies, hygienic products, soaps, souvenir shirts, and various other goods.
The program is an essential part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s eight-point socio-economic agenda, aiming to enhance food security, generate employment, and accelerate poverty reduction. The program’s primary goal is to bring the market closer to farmers, eliminating middlemen and reducing added costs, which enables products to be sold at lower prices.
DTI Region 6 OIC-RD Ermelinda Pollentes expresses her optimism that the launch of Kadiwa ng Pangulo will be a crucial milestone in attaining food security and empowering farmers, fisherfolk, and MSMEs in the region. With its focus on providing accessible and affordable agricultural products to consumers and establishing additional markets for producers, the KNP program holds the potential to uplift communities, foster economic development, and enhance the quality of life for millions of Filipinos. ♦
Date of Release: 18 July 2023
