CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Mimaropa, in partnership with the local government units (LGUs), launches Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) stalls in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan to provide affordable, quality produce to Filipinos.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the KNP is a farm-to-consumer market chain that eliminates intermediaries, allowing local producers to generate higher income by selling their produce directly to consumers.

Participating government agencies, such as the National Food Authority (NFA) offers well-milled rice for P25.00 per kilo, with a limit of four kilos per customer.

According to NFA Provincial Assistant Branch Manager Nonilo Arce Jr., the rice's quality can be comparable to commercial rice priced at P37.00 to P40.00 a kilo according to their survey.

Fresh produce by local farmers, such as organically-grown vegetables and fruits are also available in Kadiwa stalls for lower prices.

Felma Raquepo from the municipality of San Jose shared how she was able to save almost P100 from buying rice and vegetables from Kadiwa ng Pangulo. Raquepo added that prices of commodities in Kadiwa stalls are cheaper but do not compromise the product’s quality.

Processed food, such as Richblitz sweets-- a staple in Occidental Mindoro pasalubong, meat products, and locally-made chocolates are also displayed at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Office's stall.

Maricar Combalicer from the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Programs Coordinating Office (DA-APCO) Occidental Mindoro, invites everyone to take advantage of the low prices of commodities in KNP, as there are items, such as the P25.00 per kilo well-milled rice, that can only be purchased through KNP.

"Ang lahat po ay ini-encourage na tangkilikin ang mga produkto na naririto sa ating mga booth. Isa sa mga objectives ng Kadiwa ng Pangulo ay maging accessible sa mga mamamayan sa murang halaga ang mga quality na produkto ng mga magsasaka at mga mangingisda," said Combalicer.

KNP in Oriental Mindoro highlights the province’s staple agricultural product-- the calamansi, which is a small citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia, and a cross between a kumquat and a mandarin orange.

Virginia C. Dela Cruz, owner of the VCDC Farm in Victoria, and one of the participants in the launching of Kadiwa ng Pangulo in the province which sells calamansi products comprising of calamansi concentrate, and other calamansi-based products, praised the initiatives of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos, Jr. in the agriculture sector that helps small farmers and producers showcase their products in the bigger market. 

According to Cruz, small farmers like her are given a chance through Kadiwa to enter and push through the bigger market stage where local products thrive, especially now that the once touted “calamansi king” of the country is in a slow-paced decline. 

Meanwhile, she assured that all her products are locally-grown, with minimal to no chemicals in order to ensure its freshness, all of these according to her at a low price.

In the city of Puerto Princesa City, various agricultural products of farmers and fishermen in the city and the province of Palawan feature fresh and nutritious vegetables, fruits, poultry products, nuts and dried products, local products, rice and groceries.

The activity was led separately by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in partnership with the Palawan Tarabidan Multipurpose Cooperative, and the City Agriculture Office of the City Government of Puerto Princesa.

Gov. Victorino Dennis M. Socatres and Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron expressed their gratitude to PBBM’s program because it will help Palaweño consumers through cheap and affordable products as well as producers, farmers and fishermen who sell their products at a very affordable price.

The KNP launched simultaneously nationwide, with 300 outlets across the country. In Mimaropa region, there are seven (7) KNP outlets which are open from July 17 to 19, 2023. (DSG/JJGS/OCJ/GATS/PIA Mimaropa)