CEBU, Philippines — Hundreds of residents of Barangay Guadalupe and in neighboring barangays have availed of lower prices of goods as the Imee Kadiwa (Bagsak Presyo) large scale pantry officially launched in Cebu yesterday.
The program is carried out by the Office of Senator Imee Marcos in partnership with a department store.
Imee Kadiwa’s commodities such as rice, sugar, sardines, cooking oil, detergents, noodles, shampoo, dishwashing soaps, bath soaps, and other household needs are sold at a lower price compared to those in some supermarkets and department stores.
Other food items sold at the Kadiwa include ice cream and other frozen food products such as siomai and hotdogs.Also sold were small appliances such as electric fans, blender and rice cooker.
Cebu City Association of Barangay Councils President Franklin Ong said he is hoping the program continues to benefit more barangays in the city.
Ong said that the Kadiwa, which means “oneness and togetherness,” is very timely especially in this time of COVID-19 pandemic.
“Pasalamat ta ni Senator Imee Marcos for coming up with this program. This is just like an extended community pantry pero adunay bayranan nga gamay,” said Ong.
Charles Theodore Rivera, head of Marcos’ volunteers, said that the program will be brought to Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City.
Jeff Go, Marcos political officer in Cebu, said the Kadiwa program has started in Metro Manila with already 25 events conducted.
“Kani launching ni in Cebu and we will do this to other cities and barangys in Cebu aron pud ta makatabang sa atong katawhan by giving them lower prices of goods at this time of pandemic,” Go said.
Marcos’ office also provides ImeeKalusugan, a program in which residents can avail of free checkups for their cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.
Other residents also availed the ImeeTrabaho program and ImeeKabuhayan program.
Program beneficiaries were also given facemasks, faceshields, alcohol and vitamin-C. — LPM (FREEMAN)