SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to expand the deployment of Kadiwa stores to give more Filipinos access to affordable food items amid the oil crisis brought by the Middle East war. The senator on Monday said the DA has projected a spike in food prices due to rising fuel costs.
Kadiwa, or Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita, operates as a direct producer-to-consumer market under the DA, cutting layers in the supply chain to lower prices while increasing the income of farmers, fisherfolk, and micro, small and medium enterprises.
Gatchalian said the expansion should cover isolated areas to ensure that vulnerable groups, such as poor families, senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities, have access to low-cost food items.
He said that his call was among the proposals made by the Senate Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy Committee, which he leads.
An important component of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo project is the “Rice for All Program,” where the government buys palay from farmers and sells rice at more affordable prices.
“Expanding the program’s footprint will also directly support the local agricultural economy by providing more farmers with a guaranteed market for their produce,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
“Every Filipino, not only those in Metro Manila, should have access to affordable basic necessities because we are all affected by the Middle East crisis,” he said in Filipino.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently urged Filipinos to support Kadiwa outlets operating in 784 local government units (LGUs) as the government steps up efforts to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on basic commodities.
The DILG called on LGUs to identify and secure strategic locations for Kadiwa sites to ensure sustained access to fresh, affordable products in communities.
Consumers can purchase rice, vegetables, fruits, processed food, non-food items, and ready-to-eat meals at reduced prices, with P20-per-kilo rice available for vulnerable sectors.
