CAGAYAN DE ORO (PIA)--In the hopes of addressing the needs of farmers and alleviating the country's economic progress, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 collaborated to discuss the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Para sa Manggagawa exhibit during Talakayan sa PIA, April 28, held at SM Downtown Premier, here.

The Kadiwa project started during the pandemic, when there were only a limited number of stores open due to heightened restrictions.

"Actually, ‘Kadiwa’ is just an acronym for ‘Katuwang sa Diwa." This is just a strategy of linking our farmers produce to our direct consumers, meaning medyo mawala ang layers so ang produce sa farmers (the layers would disappear so the produce of the farmers) would go directly to our consumers at an affordable price," DA-10 Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Chief Agriculturist Larry Paraluman said.

In the year 2020 alone, overall sales for farmers and fishermen in the Kadiwa project amounted to P20 million, resulting in P90 million in agriculture product sales in the recent year.

DA-10 also deployed several types of pop-up stores all throughout the region, including Kadiwa sa Malls, Kadiwa para sa mga bayani, Kadiwa on Wheels, Kadiwa sa Pamahalaan, and Kadiwa sa DA.

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo Para Sa Manggagawa took place, May 1–5, in the SM Downtown Premier, here.

DOLE-10 OIC-Regional Director Estrella Uy-Pahalla also stated that during the 121st Labor Day Mega Job Fair, there were 17 exhibitors, the majority of whom were from DA, who showcased their crops, vegetables, and agri-products.

Goods and services from the Departments of Trade and Industry, National Food Authority, and Department of Tourism were also on display during the event. (GKND/PIA-10)