President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed on Friday concerned government agencies to widen the coverage of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo as he launched the initiative in Bataan.
“Kaya’t asahan ninyo kahit sa ngayon ay nagsisimula pa lang tayo ay ini-instruction-an ko na ang Department of Agriculture, ang ating DTI – Department of Trade and Industry, pati na ang DILG para talaga hindi lamang iilan, kung hindi paramihin natin maramdaman ang Kadiwa ng Pangulo sa buong Pilipinas,” the President said in his speech during the Kadiwa ng Pangulo launch in the municipality of Limay.
“Pararamihin natin ito para kahit sa malalayo, sa mga lupalop ay makakaabot ang Kadiwa dahil lahat naman tayo dito sa Pilipinas ay nangangailangan ng tulong dito,” the chief executive pointed out.
As the government has been opening more Kadiwa outlets, the President said it must also focus on improving agricultural productivity and reduce the country’s reliance on importations to stabilize the prices of basic goods.
Since its launch last year, the Kadiwa program has been successful in helping Filipinos, particularly ordinary consumers and those in the agriculture sector.
Last year, regular programs of both Kadiwa and Kadiwa ng Pasko earned more than Php400 million, based on government figures.
Farmers, fisherfolk and small businesses earned more than Php3 million in two months through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo.
President Marcos also launched Kadiwa outlets in Cebu, Manila, Batangas and Camarines Sur with more Filipino sellers and consumers now enjoying the benefits of the program.
It is part of the continuing expansion of the Kadiwa outlets nationwide aimed at giving a platform for Filipino farmers, fisherfolk and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to enable them generate more income through a direct farm-to-consumer trade.
President Marcos previously said the government’s thrust is to assist MSMEs to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The President likewise noted that the initiative aims to provide consumers with cheap basic goods amid the rising inflation in the country. #
