CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — The first-ever Kadiwa Center in the MIMAROPA region will open on Monday, March 10, in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) MIMAROPA said this Kadiwa Center will ensure that citizens can regularly purchase fresh and affordable agricultural products. It will also provide a new opportunity for farmers and fisherfolk from various towns in the province to sell their produce directly to the consumers.
In a message from DA MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Christopher R. Bañas, the establishment of this first Kadiwa Center in the region is a significant step by the government to assist both producers and consumers by providing easier access to affordable products.
“Ang kauna-unahang Kadiwa Center sa MIMAROPA ay isang mahalagang hakbang ng pamahalaan, katuwang ang CALSEDECO, upang matulungan ang mga mamimili na makabili ng murang produkto habang sinisiguro rin na ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda ay nakakatanggap ng tamang presyo para sa kanilang ani,” Bañas said.
Dennis Gasic, chairperson of CALSEDECO Multi-purpose Cooperative which will manage the Kadiwa Center, explained what products will be available for purchase.
“Una yung mga basic na pangangailangan tulad ng isda, so may mga member din ng kooperatiba kung saan sila mismo ay nangingisda at sa kanila mismo bibilhin na yun kaya talagang mura siya. Sa karne ganun din. Meron din tayong mga miyembro kung saan nagaalaga ng mga manok at baboy. Sa mga gulay naman, meron din tayong mga farmers na galing mismo sa kanilang sakahan, pipick-upin na namin yun. Mawawala na yung middle man, diretso nang dadalhin dito kaya mura talagang makakabili,” Gasic explained.
CALSEDECO is one of the largest cooperatives chosen by the DA to manage the Kadiwa Center. The cooperative also plans to open additional Kadiwa Centers in Occidental Mindoro and Marinduque in the coming months.
Bañas highlighted that both the producers and consumers will benefit from the Kadiwa Center with easier access to affordable products for buyers and fairer income for the farmers and fishermen.
“Sa ilalim ng Kadiwa program, parehong makikinabang ang ating mga prodyuser at konsyumer at mas madaling access sa abot-kayang produkto para sa mamimili at mas patas na kita para sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda,” said Bañas.
Meanwhile, Gasic expressed gratitude for the government’s support saying, “Nagpapasalamat kami sa gobyerno especially sa DA…tunay nga na sa pamamagitan ng ganitong projects ay makakatulong at magiging behikulo sa mga miyembro na matutulungan [at] sa katunayan ay hindi lang hundreds kundi thousands yan na miyembro ang matutulungan, kaya napakaganda ng programang ginawa ng gobyerno.”
The opening of the first Kadiwa Center in MIMAROPA highlights the government’s assistance to consumers in purchasing affordable goods while also supporting cooperatives, which is part of the DA’s mandate. (ALG/AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
