The provincial government of Albay is set to establish a PHP15-million Kadiwa ng Pangulo center in Camalig town to provide farmers and local producers with a permanent venue to market their products and improve access to consumers.
In an interview Friday, Governor Noel Rosal said the project, which will initially receive PHP8 million in funding from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is modeled after trading posts in China and Northern Luzon and aims to address the lack of post-harvest and marketing facilities for farmers.
The facility will be located within the Albay Bounty Village and will serve as a centralized marketplace where farmers can sell vegetables, poultry, eggs and other agricultural products directly to consumers.
“All travelers bound for Samar, Leyte and Camarines Sur pass through Camalig, making it a strategic location for our farmers to market their products,” Rosal said.
He said the Kadiwa center will serve both organic and non-organic products and may charge minimal fees solely to cover maintenance and operational expenses.
Rosal said the project is expected to create more opportunities for small farmers by providing them with a stable, accessible market for their produce.
Meanwhile, the governor said the province is preparing interventions to mitigate the effects of El Niño, particularly on water supply and agricultural production.
“Programs that require further support, such as irrigation and water systems, must be given priority because they address some of the most critical needs of our communities,” he said.
Rosal noted that water shortages could affect several municipalities across the province, including island communities and areas that have experienced declining water sources in recent months.
He said the provincial government continues to support farmers by distributing agricultural inputs and equipment.
The provincial government has also allocated PHP40 million for fertilizer assistance to complement the support programs implemented by the DA. (PNA)
