KADIWA NG PANGULO. Fresh vegetables are put on sale in one of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) stalls at the provincial capitol compound, City of San Fernando, Pampanga on Monday (July 17, 2023). President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the province to witness the signing of the memorandum of agreement on the establishment of KNP in local government units nationwide. (Photo courtesy of the Provincial Government of Pampanga)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – A wide array of agricultural products and other food items were put on sale on Monday as local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon joined the nationwide launch of the "Kadiwa ng Pangulo" (KNP).
The LGUs committed to continuously support the program of the Marcos administration aimed at addressing the rising food prices and giving farmers, fisherfolk and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) rent-free venues to sell their produce.
As early as 8 a.m., residents trooped to the KNP stores in the region’s seven provinces to buy fresh vegetables and processed goods at lower prices.
In Nueva Ecija, residents enjoyed savings as they bought lower-priced basic commodities, particularly rice, at the KNP booths set up at the provincial capitol compound in Cabanatuan City.
Dr. Richard Simangan, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry in the province, said the Kadiwa store was opened to farmers and small entrepreneurs so they could sell their respective products.
"Inipon natin 'yung ating mga farmers at mga micro and small enterprises para po mag-exhibit at magbenta ng kanilang mga murang produkto (We gathered our farmers and micro and small enterprises to exibit and sell their cheaper products)," Simangan said.
"'Pag sinabi nating mura, hindi ito 'yung karaniwan nating mabibili sa presyo doon sa labas so 'yung mga farmers natin dito nagdala (If we say cheaper, the price is not the same as what we can buy outside because our farmers brought their products) directl from the field," he said.
Evangelina Bergano, a vendor from Barangay Tabacao, Talavera, Nueva Ecija, offered meat and poultry products at PHP10 per kilo lower than the market price.
Annie Lacero of the National Food Authority-Nueva Ecija Quality Assurance Unit said their agency has allocated 20 bags of rice that were sold at PHP25 per kilo, made possible by government subsidy.
In Pampanga, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., together with Governor Dennis Pineda, made rounds of the KNP stalls that showcased the province's top products such as chicharon (crispy pork rinds), tinapa (smoked fish), balot (fertilized duck egg), salted egg, lowland vegetables, and fruits.
Pineda said the President was happy to find out that the price of sugar was only PHP70 per kilo while the NFA rice was only PHP25 per kilo.
“Lubos ang pagpapasalamat ng mga sellers at exhibitors sa programa dahil binigyan sila ng pagkakataon na makilala ng publiko ang kanilang mga produkto (The sellers and exhibitors were thankful to the program that gave them an opportunity for the public to know their products),” the governor said.
In Bulacan, 39 exhibitors participated in the event.
“This is in support of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.’s vow to establish more ‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo’ centers in the country to help local producers earn a higher income by eliminating intermediaries and, at the same time, allow consumers to buy agricultural products and other goods at a lower price,” Governor Daniel Fernando said.
KNP stalls were also set up in the provinces of Tarlac, Zambales and Aurora as the LGUs' show of commitment to the program. (PNA)
