TUBOD, Lanao del Norte (PIA) — The provincial government here held a groundbreaking ceremony for the KADIWA ng Pangulo Building/Center at the Provincial Agriculture Office Compound.
This is a joint project with P5 million support from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and a P2 million counterpart from the provincial government.
The chief of DA’s provincial operation center, Engr. Abdul Harris Paporo, emphasized that the KADIWA Center’s design directly benefits farmers by cutting out middlemen and lowering costs.
“This is not a competition for the local market; it allows farmers to sell directly at reduced prices, avoiding buyer and transportation consolidation costs,” he said.
The KADIWA ng Pangulo services began in the province in March 2024, every 3rd Thursday and Friday of the month in front of the Mindanao Civic Center, featuring local products from hardworking farmers. Gov. Imelda ‘Angging’ Quibranza Dimaporo recognized the importance of establishing a permanent, conducive building to enhance this initiative, relocating operations from temporary tents to a dedicated space.
With this, she expressed her gratitude to the DA, emphasized the vital role of municipal agriculturists in promoting agriculture, and called for collective action to strengthen food security.
“Walay magutom sa ato kung kita mukugi lang og pananom ug maningkamot. (No one among us will go hungry if we just work hard at planting and persevering.) That’s why we must involve everyone and every community in this venture,” she said.
The governor also announced plans for a coconut processing plant in the Metro Iligan Regional Agro-Industrial Center in Linamon town, a significant project to uplift farmers and landowners who rely on copra production.
As part of the event, the DA also awarded a P5 million hauling vehicle to the province, funded with P4 million from the DA and P1 million from the provincial government, as part of the Enhanced KADIWA Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program.
“These projects aim to empower rural communities, enhance food production, support sustainable livelihoods, and contribute to national economic growth,” Mae Carmena Fabena from the Agri-Business and Marketing Division said. (PIO Lanao del Norte/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
