Vegetable growers in Leyte have welcomed the pronouncement of President R. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Monday to put up more “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” stores, as this ensures higher income and a steady market.

For two years, the family of Geoffrey Daga, 36, has been selling their produce in the weekly Kadiwa ng Pangulo outside the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) regional office in Palo, Leyte.

“This is a big help to us since it eliminates middlemen, adding income to our family. Before joining the Kadiwa, our gross sales were PHP300 to PHP400 daily, but now it is as high as PHP10,000 daily,” Daga told the Philippine News Agency.

The higher income inspired him and four other siblings to maintain their more than three-hectare vegetable farm in Palo and Sta. Fe towns.

Since he was a child, Daga’s family has been engaged in vegetable farming and trading. He returned to the business when he lost his 17-year job as assistant cameraman at Reuters news agency at the height of the pandemic.

In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, President Marcos said Kadiwa stores have been helping buyers save money and cushion the impact of rising food prices.

“Katuwang ang mga lokal na pamahalaan, dinadagdagan pa natin ang mga Kadiwa sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa. Higit sa lahat, layunin nating gawing permanente rin at mas madalas pa ang pagdaraos ng mga Kadiwa (In partnership with the local government, we opened more Kadiwa stores in different parts of the country. Above all, our goal is to continue the program, and we will hold more Kadiwa),” the President said.

Maria Rhodora Valez, president of the New Kawayan Farmers Association here, said the weekly Kadiwa at PCA Palo assured them of a stable market for their products.

“In the past, traders and middlemen dictated the prices of our produce. Through Kadiwa, we have been selling affordable fresh vegetables directly to consumers,” Valez said in a phone interview.

When the government launched the weekly Kadiwa in PCA three years ago, the farmers’ group led by Valez used a motorcycle to transport their products. Last year, the group acquired a small truck.

Pre-Kadiwa, Valez said they earned just PHP30 for every kilo of ampalaya (bitter melon) from traders, who then sold their produce to buyers at PHP60 per kilogram.

“Through Kadiwa, we have been selling ampalaya at only PHP40 directly to consumers. During the paydays of government employees, we earned up to PHP30,000 in just two days,” she added.

The administration of President Marcos has continued to promote the direct marketing platform designed by the Department of Agriculture that provides consumers access to quality and low-priced food items while ensuring that farm producers have a ready market.

Kadiwa is a market linkage facilitation program that has removed unnecessary layers in the trading cycle. Less intermediaries add to the selling value of the products, with consumers benefiting from freshly harvested crops and other food items at a fair cost. (PNA)