The “Kadiwa ng Pangulo,” set from April 29 to May 1 to celebrate Labor Day here, will have on board 36 farmers and fisherfolk availing of the opportunity to market their products.

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KAtuwang sa Diwa at gaWa) is a flagship initiative of the Marcos administration, using a market-based approach to implement a “direct” producer-to-consumer food supply and distribution system, Sonie Guanco, chief of the Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Program Coordinating Office (DA-APCO) in Antique, said on Wednesday.

“There will be 36 farmers and fisherfolk who will be bringing their products for sale during the Kadiwa ng Pangulo,” Guanco said in an interview, noting that they still have harvest despite the El Niño phenomenon.

In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Office of the Provincial Agriculture, the trade fair at the provincial capitol ground will jumpstart the monthly fair in the province to help the target sector market their products.

The Kapatid Mentor Me, Inc. (KAMMI), a group of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) who are recipients of the Kapatid Mentor Me program of DTI, will join the Kadiwa.

They found it to be an opportunity to generate added sales, considering that the crops they use as raw materials depreciated due to the drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

“We have members who are into turmeric, ginger brew, and banana chips processing who will be displaying their products,” KAMMI president Aben Ortega said in a separate interview.

DOLE will also enroll participants of the Kadiwa in the emergency employment program of DOLE, where they will receive a daily wage of PHP480 for five days. (PNA)