AFFORDABLE VEGGIES. Palawan consumers flocked to the Provincial Capitol Compound on Monday (July 17, 2023) to purchase vegetables and other items at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlet. Mayor Lucilo Bayron called for the program's implementation every payday. (Photo courtesy of Palawan Provincial Information Office)
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Provincial leaders lauded the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) program on its nationwide launch on Monday and called for a continuation of efforts to make fresh produce available to the public at affordable prices.
Two events were held in this city to mark the KNP program’s launch, one spearheaded by Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates, and the other, led by Mayor Lucilo Bayron.
Socrates thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for his efforts to cushion inflationary pressures during ceremonies marking the KNP’s provincial launch at the capitol’s Centennial Pavilion.
"Thank you for this project because we know that many will benefit from it, our producers will be assisted, and our consumers will have access to affordable food and basic necessities," said the governor.
Bayron, during the KNP's launch at city hall, called for the program's implementation every payday to enable city workers and visitors to conveniently purchase essential commodities.
He also expressed gratitude to local farmers and employees of the City Agriculture Office. "Because of you, we now have vegetables that used to come all the way from La Trinidad and Baguio," said Bayron.
He subsequently directed the City Engineering Office to initiate the repair of the road situated in Sitio Busngol, Barangay Sta. Lourdes, which serves as a crucial transportation route for the majority of highland vegetable farmers and suppliers.
Additionally, he revealed plans to construct several farm-to-market roads to hasten the delivery of agricultural products to consumers.
Bayron said these initiatives are the city government’s response to farmers’ difficulty in transporting goods to retail outlets amid growing demand for fresh vegetables in Puerto Princesa.
According to Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Romeo Cabungcal, Palawan's participation in KNP demonstrates the local government’s support for President Marcos’ goal of giving consumers “access to affordable and high-quality products, particularly vegetables and fruits, and to assist farmers, fishermen, and microenterprises in selling their products.”
Meanwhile, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Rachel Paladan stated that KNP is a positive step towards solving the malnutrition problem in the province.
The activity coincided with the celebration of Nutrition Month this July with the theme "Healthy Diet Gawing Affordable for All!"
"This Kadiwa is the solution to our malnutrition problem, and of course, our economy is quite tight, and prices are high for all commodities. Let's support the locally produced goods of our farmers because we can see that they are nutritious and fresh, and we can buy them here at an affordable price," Paladan emphasized. (PNA)
