The city government of Manila and the Department of Agriculture (DA) launched a “Kadiwa” grocery outlet that would sell fruits, vegetables, and meat products at reasonably low prices at the inner court of the city hall.
Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso said the Kadiwa project is a “win-win solution for both poor consumers and struggling farmers”.
“Ang mga tao ngayon, mabibigyan na sila ng katipiran. Maaari na silang makabili ng sariwa at malinis na gulay sa napakababang presyo dahil hindi na nila kailangan dumaan pa sa mga (People can now save money. They can now buy fresh and clean vegetables at very low prices without dealing with) middlemen,” Domagoso said in his speech during the launch.
“Kapag ito ay isinagawa ng 1,600 plus municipalities, sa tingin ko bababa ang mga bilihin, gagaan ang pamumuhay ng mga tao at mas maraming savings para sa ibang mga bagay na tustusin (If the 1,600 plus municipalities implement this, product prices will go down, people would be in better position and will have more savings for other things they need to buy),” he added.
Manila City government Special Projects chief Joy Dawis said under the project, farmers are allowed to sell rice, fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products without negotiating with middlemen.
“Consumers in Manila, particularly poverty-stricken families, can purchase these basic goods at very low prices compared to other markets,” Dawis said.
DA Undersecretary Ernesto Gonzales thanked Domagoso for supporting the administration’s campaign to help farmers.
“Sa ngalan ni Secretary William Dar kami po ay masayang-masaya na madadala na namin ang produkto ng mga farmers dito mismo sa inyong lungsod. Sana po ito ay palawakin natin hindi lamang dito sa Manila kung hindi sa buong Pilipinas (On behalf of Secretary William Dar, we are very happy to bring the products of farmers here in your city. We hope that this will be replicated nationwide),” Gonzales said.
He said the launch of the Kadiwa project in Manila is just the first of many more outlets to be opened nationwide.
The government, through the DA, revived the Marcos-era Kadiwa store system in a bid to help both farmers and consumers. (PNA)
