The Kadiwa ng Pangulo program continues its steady expansion across Metro Manila, marked by a significant collaboration between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost).
This partnership promises to bring affordable agricultural goods closer to communities, leveraging PHLPost’s extensive network. Instead of solely relying on pop-up events, the program is establishing a more permanent presence within the familiar and accessible spaces of local post offices.
The agreement capitalizes on PHLPost’s logistical strengths to streamline the distribution of fresh produce and essential goods, effectively reducing the layers of intermediaries and offering more competitive prices to consumers.
For vegetable vendor Roseann Franco, whose part of the Golden Beans Cooperative and currently sells in the Kadiwa outlet located in Manila Central Post Office, shared that their products are cultivated by the farmers in Nueva Ecija.
“Nagaangkat po kami ng gulay sa Nueva Ecija tapos titinda po namin sa Manila. Mag-dadalawang taon na rin po kaming parte ng Kadiwa ng Pangulo.”
(We source vegetables from Nueva Ecija and then sell them in Manila. We’ve been part of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program for almost two years now.)
Likewise, vendor Connie Buayaban whose part of the Agripreneurs Pangasinan, an organization composed of farmers from the North, shared their collective experience in selling their local produce in Kadiwa outlets.
“Sama sama kaming pumunta dito sa Maynila para ibenta sa tamang presyo po yung aming produkto. Malaking tulong kasi naibebenta sa tamang presyo, nakakatulong sa co-farmers naming na hindi binabarat ng mga negosyante.”
(We came together to Manila to sell our products at fair prices. It’s a big help because selling at the right price supports our fellow farmers, ensuring that they are not underpaid by traders.)
She also added the relief for Metro Manila residents who can avail of their affordable products without needing to go to distant provinces.
“Malaking tulong din po sa mga taga-rito sa Manila na makaka-avail sila ng murang gulay at mayroon din kaming bigas na available sa Kadiwa centers, mura lang din po.”
(It’s also a great help for the people here in Manila since they can avail of affordable vegetables, and we also have rice available at the Kadiwa centers, which is also inexpensive.)
The DA is committed to ensuring a consistent supply of quality agricultural products for these Kadiwa stores, while PHLPost provides the operational spaces within their branches. This synergy underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and affordability across the nation.
The expansion in Metro Manila is a significant step towards the national target of establishing 1,500 Kadiwa stores by 2028, a goal repeatedly emphasized by the Presidential Office.
Residents of Metro Manila can anticipate greater access to budget-friendly and fresh agricultural products at more convenient and trusted locations, directly impacting the livelihoods of farmers and the wallets of consumers.
In a commendable effort to uplift the agricultural sector and ease the burden on everyday consumers, the KADIWA ng Pangulo not only ensures that essential goods are accessible to Filipino families at reasonable prices, but also empowers local farmers by directly linking them to the marketplace, bypassing intermediaries. (JVD/PIA-NCR)
