The Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) gave away for free an estimated five tons of assorted vegetables to residents of the city during the conduct of the “Kadiwa community pantry”.

DA-CAR Public Information Officer (PIO) Aida Pagtan on Thursday said the activity is part of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Month this May.

The DA-CAR’s Kadiwa community pantry was first conducted on April 28 where 3,000 kilograms of assorted highland vegetables were given away. On May 5, there were 2,000 kilograms agricultural produce distributed.

The first event had over 500 recipients while the second had about 400.

She said the assorted vegetable products were donated by farmers’ groups and individual farmers, many of whom are also partners of the agency in their “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita” centers.

The biggest contributor is the Hiland Multi-Purpose Cooperative and the League of Associations of La Trinidad farmers.

She said the central office has advised regional and provincial units to come up with activities that will drum up the importance of the farmers and fisherfolk who feed the people.

Joan Bacbac, High Value Crop (HVC) Development Program coordinator and chief of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of DA-CAR, said the activity is the second of a series of community pantry events this month which event they will bring to outskirt villages in the city.

She said there are also individuals who gave trays of eggs each which when put together with the other donations are sufficient for distribution.

“Kahit kunti-kunti (Even in small quantities) and you collect, it will go a long way,” she added.

She said the DA is consolidating donations of vegetables, other agricultural produce, grocery items from different farmers groups, cooperatives, individual farmers for the two events the DA set up at the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) compound in Barangay Guisad where the agency’s regional and attached units are located.

Special lane for elders

Bacbac said senior citizens are given some sort of special treatment.

“They have a special area so that they do not have to queue. They are also given more special items,” the official said.

Aside from agricultural produce, there were also grocery items and alcohol distributed, among other items given by donors.

Among the assorted agricultural produce distributed at the Kadiwa pantry were Baguio beans, sayote, cabbage, potato, carrots, tomato, lettuce, cauliflower, sayote tops, cucumber, Zucchini, young corn, and rice.

To assure the observance of health and safety protocols, the DA-CAR assigned marshals who made sure health protocols are observed.

Bringing their own eco-bag or container was also strictly implemented in the activity. (PNA)