President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., on December 1, 2022 visited the KADIWA ng Pasko caravan site at the QC Hall to appraise the impact of the government-led marketing initiative to food producers and consumers alike.

During the opening ceremony, President Marcos Jr. expressed gratitude to institutions and individuals that tirelessly support the said initiative.

“Ito’y pamamaraan upang makapagbigay tayo ng pagkakataon sa ating mga kababayan na makabili ng iba’t ibang commodities na may savings, dahil nga dumidiretso [ang pamahalaan] sa suppliers. Ang maganda sa ang pamahalaan ang nangunguna, ang pamahalaan ay hindi kailangang kumita. Kaya kahit walang kita, kung magkano binili ay ganoon din ipinagbibili,” he explained.

The President added that the KADIWA is an effective platform for micro-, small-, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) to sell out their products.

A total of 11 KADIWA suppliers participated in the caravan, bringing forth a total sale of P382,826. These suppliers are:

• Rootcrop Growers of Batangas Agricultural Cooperative;
• Sampaloc Agrarian Reform Beneficiary;
• Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative;
• Amarich Marketing International;
• Maria Dairy Division of Catmon Multi-Purpose Cooperative;
• R&J Excellent Duck Farm;
• Pansinao Parents Agriculture Association;
• Women’s, Inc.;
• Mama Agnes Enterprise;
• Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Mangingisda sa Paombong Agricultural Cooperative;
• National Food Authority (NFA); and
• Sugar Regulation Administration (SRA).

The President, seeing the success of the KADIWA through the years, thus pushed for its expansion as a national program in order to be of service and benefit to more Filipinos.

Acknowledging the QC Local Government as one of the first institutions to adopt the KADIWA program in the midst of skyrocketing commodity prices, President Marcos Jr. recognized QC as a model city exhibiting KADIWA’s best practices, which can be emulated by other local government units (LGUs).

He also assured that the Kadiwa ng Pasko will continue its run beyond the holiday season, saying, “I hope it is the gift that keeps on giving.”

Meanwhile, President Marcos Jr. also relayed positive news as his target of P20 per kilo of palay is within reach, noting that a kilo is now being sold at P25.

“Kailangan po talaga tayong magtulungang makahanap ng paraan na tayo ay magkasama, sabay-sabay ang ating galaw. Kahit na ano ang gustuhin natin, kahit na ano ang ating pinapangarap ay makakamtan po natin,” he encouraged. ### (Krystelle Ymari A. Vergara, DA-AFID)