MOBILE MARKET. Residents of three remote villages in Butuan City directly benefit from the “Kadiwa on Wheels” that was launched by the Department of Agriculture 13 (Caraga region) in the city on Thursday (April 16, 2020). The initiative brings food supplies to residents who have been affected by the quarantine measures while helping farmers sell their goods. (Photo courtesy of DA-13 Information Office)
BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) 13 (Caraga region) on Thursday led the launch of the “Kadiwa on Wheels” in three far-flung villages here, whose residents benefited from affordable food supplies that they would otherwise not have accessed amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
In partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 13, local farmers and entrepreneurs, the DA-13 said the first “Kadiwa on Wheels” in the city aims to bring the market to residents who have been affected by the quarantine measures to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“The government agencies, with the support of the local government unit (LGU), is reaching out to residents in far-flung villages to bring to their doorsteps available food items in the midst of the continued threats of the Covid-19,” the agency said in a statement.
It added that farmers’ associations also helped DA-13 and BFAR-13 carry out the project, considering that most of the affected residents in remote areas belong to the agriculture sector.
Thursday's "mobile market" benefited residents in barangays Pagatpatan, Agusan Pequeño, and Bading who bought vegetables, fruits, dressed chicken, pork cuts, fish, and other food supplies, the DA-13 said.
Among those who sold their produce through the initiative were members of the farmers’ group headed by Larry Abuzo of Barangay Agusan Pequeño.
Abuzo thanked the government for bringing the market to the farmers who are among those affected by the ECQ.
“We are glad about this action from the government. Residents here no longer need to go to the market or grocery stores. The government now brings the market right here in our village,” he said.
Abuzo said he hopes the “Kadiwa on Wheels” would reach more far-flung villages and provide services to residents who are in need.
Lynn Pareñas, division chief of agribusiness and marketing assistance of DA-13, described the “Kadiwa on Wheels” as a "concrete manifestation of (the) government’s resolve to help the farmers survive" throughout the ECQ.
“We are bringing the market here in the barangays so we can help limit the going in and out of the people, especially the farmers, just to buy food,” Pareñas said.
She added that such protocols as social distancing and wearing of face masks among buyers are strictly observed at the mobile market.
The DA-13 said the consolidated gross sales of farmers’ groups and local entrepreneurs who joined the one-day “Kadiwa on Wheels” in the three villages in Butuan totaled PHP79,440. (PNA)
