President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday graced the launch of the Kadiwa ng Pasko caravan in Valenzuela City, the latest addition to the ever-growing number of Kadiwa centers with more than 350 sites all over the country.
Although the Kadiwa ng Pasko project was piloted for the holiday season, President Marcos said they now intend to continue the program beyond the Christmas season to ease the burden of consumers from the high prices of commodities.
“Ang Kadiwa sa Pasko ay ang aming munting pagtulong para naman maging mas masaya ang ating Pasko itong taon na ito,” President Marcos said in his remarks after touring the stalls at the Kadiwa ng Pasko site at the Malanday Covered Court.
“Kaya’t mabuti ito, itong Kadiwa, hindi lamang nabibigyan ng pagkakataon ang taong-bayan na makabili ng mga kailangan na bilihin sa mas mababang presyo, ngunit nabibigyan din natin ng pagkakataon ang mga local producer ng mga maliliit na produkto na mayroon silang merkado, mayroon silang palengke,” the President pointed out.
Less than 20 Kadiwa ng Pasko sites were opened in Metro Manila during the project’s initial launch, the President said, adding that there are now more than 350 sites all over the country.
The Kadiwa ng Pasko program aims to provide a market to local farmers and fishermen for their produce and to small business enterprises selling basic necessities.
Organizers expect them to have better income and, at the same time, provide the public access to more affordable, accessible and high-quality merchandise.
The President expressed his gratitude to all those who participated in the program, especially the owners of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“Kaya po ay maraming salamat sa lahat ng nakilahok. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng nagtrabaho para magkaroon tayo ng Kadiwa na ganito. Hindi lamang dito sa Valenzuela kung hindi sa iba’t ibang lugar sa Pilipinas. Kaya’t nakakatuwa po na makita ang inyong mga ngiti at maibati ko kayong lahat ng Maligayong Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon,” Marcos said.
Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual accompanied the President at the Kadiwa launch in Valenzuela City.
Pascual has just been reappointed as DTI secretary and took his oath of office before President Marcos in Malacañang on Friday.
Aside from DTI, the participating agencies under the Kadiwa project include the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Food Authority (NFA) and the beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) Workers Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). #
