CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — A total amount of ₱141,584 in sales was generated by seven registered associations that participated in the Kadiwa ng Pangulo during the three-day event in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro last January 30 to February 1.
The event, organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), featured lower and affordable prices for vegetables, fruits, milk, eggs, and rice compared to those sold at the traditional markets.
In addition to the sales, each of the 10 vendors at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo will also receive a ₱430 daily wage through the DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, which provides livelihood assistance to displaced workers.
Jubilee Oriental Mindoro Consumers Cooperative chairperson Luis Gonzales expressed his gratitude for the program and its benefits.
“Maraming salamat po sa pagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa aming mga kooperatiba sa pamamagitan ng programa ng DOLE sa TUPAD at mabibigyan ng livelihood ang aming mga miyembro sa kooperatiba at ganun din po ay macocombine natin ang Kadiwa…mura, abot-kayang pagkain po para sa lahat,” Gonzales said.
[We are very grateful for the opportunity provided to our cooperatives through the DOLE’s TUPAD program. It will provide livelihood for our cooperative members and we can combine it with Kadiwa… affordable and accessible food for everyone.]
Gonzales is optimistic that the program would be expanded to help more Filipino workers, not only in the MIMAROPA region but also in other parts of the country.
“Ito po ay isang simula na maaari at sana ay mangyari at maisakatuparan hindi lamang dito sa MIMAROPA [kundi] maging sa ibang bayan pa po sa bansa,” he added.
[This is just the beginning and it can be realized not only here in MIMAROPA but also in other areas in the country as well.]
In an interview by PIA with DOLE MIMAROPA Technical Support and Services Division chief Lorie Catapang, she said that through Kadiwa ng Pangulo initiative and partnership of DOLE and DA, affordable goods are not only made available to the public but Filipino workers are also given support. (AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
