The city government here is pushing to institutionalize its “Merkado Local/USWAG Rolling Store” to ensure its sustainability and its impact as a livelihood source for fishers and farmers.

The proposed “Ordinance Institutionalizing the Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa (KADIWA) para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita Program in the City of Iloilo”, endorsed by Mayor Jerry Treñas and now under Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) deliberation, aims to ensure the program’s continuity.

“Its principle is like the KADIWA of the Department of Agriculture. So our rationale is to ensure the sustainability of the program because of its benefits in terms of nutrition, livelihood, promoting products and giving a chance to marginalize sector to have a venue to market their products,” according to Iloilo City Agriculturist Iñigo Garingalao in an interview on Thursday.

Garingalao said they would seek the support of DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division for the expansion of the program.

Merkado Local is set every third week of the month on Thursday and Friday in front of the Kerr and Company Bldg., while the rolling store is at the Mandurriao Plaza on Monday, La Paz Plaza on Tuesday and Thursday, Molo Plaza on Wednesday and Arevalo Plaza on Friday from 7 a.m. to 12 noon.

Both are also open to farmers from Iloilo province.

“One function of Merkado Local is not only a venue for selling. It is also a venue for knowledge transfer and sharing,” he added.

The Office of the City Agriculturist also reported that the Merkado Local and the rolling stores earned PHP8.95 million in gross sales in 2024. (PNA)