Cebu launches KNP program

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government together with the various national line agencies joined the simultaneous launching of the Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita (KADIWA) ng Pangulo (KNP) program yesterday.

The Cebu launching of KNP showcased fresh and affordable farm products from local farmer groups, fisherfolk, and small and medium entrepreneurs at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu Atrium in Cebu City.

“I said this again, synchronicity. It’s a series of coincidences that seem to have no connection and yet, when you look back and you think about it, after all there was a reason. And again I say this here the synchronicity between the national government, President BBM Kadiwa ng Pangulo and the Cebu Provincial Government’s Caravan of Services. Another synchronicity for what reason? What greater reason can there be than for us elected and appointed servants of the public to come together in order to uplift the lives of Cebuanos and Filipinos who need our help the most,” Garcia said.

The Kadiwa program aims to ensure that food commodities are made available and accessible in high consumer demand areas by harnessing private sector participation, capacity enhancement of farmer cooperatives and associations, and engaging community organizations’ participation in food supply distribution system.

Garcia led the launch of the Kadiwa  trade fair at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu, where she was joined by Undersecretary Terence Calatrava of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas; Department of Agriculture-7 regional director Angel Enriquez; Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 regional director Shalaine Lucero; Department of Interior and Local Government-7 regional director Leo Trovela; and other officials from the provincial government.

“This day is eventful as we gear up for the massive implementation of KADIWA nationwide with our local chief executives, and governors who will carry on and work with the DA in scaling this up,” said Trovela.

Trovela added that the support of the LGUs in this program is vital for the smooth and efficient implementation on the ground.

The 3-day Kadiwa fair runs until Wednesday, July 19, an extension from the recently held R’ Cebu trade fair, which is another Capitol-led program, over the weekend.

At least 35 MSMEs from the different parts of Cebu Province are joining and displaying their products at the ongoing trade fair.

Participating provinces in Central Visayas are Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

Due to the overwhelming success of “Kadiwa ng Pasko” launching last year, President Marcos pushed for its expansion as a national program to serve holiday season. Thus, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo was launched in Cebu last February 27, 2023.

To expand the program, the Office of the President through the Presidential Communication Office directed DA and DILG to conduct the said simultaneous Kadiwa ng Pangulo in 81 provinces nationwide including the 17 LGUs in National Capital Region.

The KNP has an objective to strengthen the Kadiwa activities and ensure expansion of national program to different regions and provinces, to provide access for fresh and affordable agricultural and fishery commodities to the consumers, and to provide venue for selling of locally produce agri-fishery products.

To ensure a food and nutrition secure Philippines, DA is institutionalizing policy reforms to enhance efficiency and accelerate the modernization of the sector, ensuring accessible, affordable, and nutritious food that benefits all Filipinos, developing strong value chains through the delivery of quality services, and boosting local production and raising farmers’ and fisherfolk’s income.

DA said that in the fulfillment of these thrusts, the Kadiwa program aims to ensure that food commodities are made available and accessible in high consumer demand areas by harnessing private sector participation, capacity enhancement of farmer cooperatives and associations, and engaging community organizations’ participation in food supply distribution system.

Meanwhile, President Marcos witnessed the signing of memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the establishment of KADIWA ng Pangulo in local government units (LGUs) nationwide during his visit to the City of San Fernando, Pampanga yesterday.

Heeding the call of the President to expand the KNP throughout the country to ensure food security, reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction as stated in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), the MOA institutionalizes the establishment of KADIWA ng Pangulo in LGUs and commits to sustain the program.

“Dito sa MOA na ito talagang pinaghahatian ng local government at saka national government ito. Hindi kayang gawin ng national government na maikalat lahat ng ating gustong ipadala na mga murang pagkain kung hindi ating kasama at ka-partner ang local government,” President Marcos said during the event held at the Pampanga Provincial Capitol.

“Kaya’t ito’y isa na namang magandang halimbawa para ipakita kung papaano… nagtutulungan, hindi lamang ang national government, hindi lamang ang mga iba’t ibang ahensiya, departamento ng national government, kundi pati na rin ang mga local governments,” the President added.

The KNP enables farmers to sell directly to consumers by removing market layers, making fresh agricultural and fishery commodities accessible at affordable prices to consumers, as well as establishing additional markets for farmers, fisherfolks and micro enterprises to sell locally produced agri-fishery products and basic necessities.

The President said there’s a need to boost production to sustain the Kadiwa program and maintain affordable prices of basic commodities that favor consumers, which can be done with the assistance of various sectors.

The Kadiwa program is a farm-to-consumer market chain that eliminates intermediaries, allowing local producers to generate higher income by selling their produce directly to consumers.

Among the MOA signatories are the DILG, DA, DTI, DOLE, DSWD, Presidential Communications Office and Presidential Management Staff. DA shall serve as the lead convenor of the KNP operations, while the DTI, DOLE, and DILG shall serve as co-convenors. — (FREEMAN)