The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday hosted the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” (KNP) at its central office, bringing affordable agricultural products and other products of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to its employees and those of the National Police Commission in Quezon City. In a statement, DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos said hosting the KNP on the agency premises supports the ongoing celebration of National Nutrition Month. He said the KNP also allows DILG employees to buy low-cost and fresh goods straight from the producers because, like everyone else, they are affected by rising food costs and should also benefit from ‘this good program’ of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ‘We are planning to hold this activity monthly, and as the Christmas season approaches, we will do it twice a month,’ Abalos said. In addition to fruits and vegetables, ready-to-eat food and processed meat were sold on the eighth floor of the DILG central office, along with organic fruit juices and concentrates. SMEs sold bags and apparel and leather goods, such as wallets, belts, and shoes. Abalos pointed out that the program is already being implemented in the local government units (LGUs), where KNP market days are set on the 15th and 30th of each month. Under the program, LGUs provide the site for the activity for free, such as a basketball court or the provincial capitol or municipal hall. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture brings the farmers and their produce, while the Department of Trade and Industry takes care of the products of SMEs. ‘Only Philippine products are sold, so each LGU can promote the fruits and vegetables that are grown in their localities, as well as their local dry goods,’ Abalos said. On the other hand, the Department of Social Welfare and Development showcased its livelihood assistance projects, while the National Nutrition Council and the Cooperative Development Authority promoted proper diet and cooperative participation. For its part, the Department of Labor and Employment will pay the wages of those who transported the products and the builders of the stalls under its “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers” (TUPAD) Program. The KNP seeks to empower the farming community by providing a direct and effective farm-to-consumer food supply chain. It also gives farmers, fisher folk, and micro-SMEs rent-free venues to sell their produce and increase their income. In his second State of the Nation Address, Marcos said ‘the Kadiwa system enabled the public to buy goods at cheaper rates and the farmers to sell their crops without having to worry about transportation costs.
Source: Philippines News Agency
