CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-X) OIC-Regional Director Estrella Pahalla is inviting the public to visit the booth on “Kadiwa ng Pangulo Para sa Manggagawa” which sells basic goods and rice at lower prices.

The Kadiwa will run on May 1-5, 2023 on the 5th floor of SM Downtown Premier as part of the 121st Labor Day celebration here.

Pahalla said the opening ceremony for the event will be at 8:00 AM on May 1 and the display's opening will be during mall hours on May 2-5.

17 of the exhibitors are livelihood-assisted projects of DOLE-X, Department of Agriculture (DA-X), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-X), National Food Authority (NFA-X), and Department of Tourism (DOT-X).

Pahalla said the “Kadiwa” is an initiative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and also through his capacity as Acting Secretary of the DA. President Marcos Jr. and Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma mutually agreed to extend the same goal but with a wider target audience, this time for the Filipino workers, just in time for the Labor Day or the “Araw ng mga Manggagawa”.

The Kadiwa focuses on helping the labor force, who are the biggest economic contributors to the country, especially on the non-stop increase of prices.

DOLE-X exhibitors are (1) Lorega Ancestral Management and Development for All Generation, Inc. (LAMDAG) for their Bagtok handicrafts and strawberry jams; (2) Balubal Integrated Social Forestry Farmers Association (BISFFA) for their coffee beans; (3) Tagpuangi Fisherfolks Association (TAGFA) on their Krill sardines; (4) Abaga Muslim Christian Farmers Association (ginger powder/salabat); and (5) San Roque Handmade Paper Products MPC (handmade paper and handmade lampshade paper products).

DA-X exhibitors are (1) CDO Small Farmers Association and (2) Miarayon Highland Farmers Association, both selling assorted vegetables, root crops, and spices; (3) Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperative (bottled fresh milk and milk bar; (4) Beltran Integrated Farm (lettuce); (5) Manzano Farm (fresh fruits); and CDEO Integrated Farm (rabbits).

DTI-X exhibitors are (1) Food Processors Association of Northern Mindanao (FOPANorMin) for their various Misamis Oriental coconut and food products from Slers Industries, Inc., MGP, Tsoko Co., and Padlas; (2) Ginama for the various food and native products; and (3) Multi-Fiber Cluster, Inc. (MOMCI) for their various fiber handicraft products.

DOT-X exhibitors are Cagayan de Oro Travel and Tours Association and Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association, Inc.

Pahalla said government assistance through livelihood and emergency projects will also be highlighted during the opening ceremonies.

Under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), Pahalla said a total of P67,448,655 worth of livelihood projects will be turned over to 5,106 region-wide beneficiaries or workers in the informal sector (WIS).

Projects will be given to (1) Buliga Integrated and Livelihood Association worth P9,790,000 to its 802 members; (2) Jimenez Municipal Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (P1,215,500; 204 members); (3) Northwestern Mindanao School of Technology Inc. (P14,340,000; 478 members); (4) Macajalar Warf Porter's Association FFW (P3,600,000; 202 members); (5) 1 and All Technical School (P3,762,100; 549 members); (6) Katilingbanong Pamahandi sa Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (P9,810,000; 850 members); (7) NagapakaBana Multi-Purpose Cooperative (P5,491,055; 522 members); (8) Abag Kalambuan, Inc. (P8,925,000; 798 members); and (9) Valencia Rural Improvement MPC (P10,515,000; 701 members).

Pahalla said DILP beneficiaries are parents of child laborers, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, farmers, women, and indigenous people.

Moreover, emergency employment wages will be released to 27,568 underemployed, self-employed and displaced beneficiaries from the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte with total wages of P186,572,823 for their work projects on sanitation, disinfection, and social community.

Receiving proponents are (1) BLGU Southern Poblacion, Baliangao worth 475,000 of wages to their 56 beneficiaries; (2) Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) San Vicente Alto (P475,000; 56 beneficiaries); (3) BLGU Talic (P9,724,110; 1,144 beneficiaries); (4) Oroquieta City Community Affairs for Reforms and Development Program (P26,594,314; 2,438 beneficiaries); (5) BLGU Sta. Cruz (P953,288; 197 beneficiaries); (6) BLGU Palilan, Jimenez (P6,459,000; 1,450 beneficiaries); (7) Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental (P140,429,671; 21,898 beneficiaries); (8) LGU of Baungon, Bukidnon (P950,000; 214 beneficiaries); and (9) BLGU Buru-un Iligan (P512,440; 115 beneficiaries).

Pahalla further said that as one of the DOLE-attached agencies, the Technical Education and Skills Administration (TESDA-X) will showcase various skills demonstrations like solar panel installation, barista (provision of free coffee), barbering (free haircut); food processing (display of processed foods); and bread and pastry production (display of baked goods).

TESDA-X will also cater to Technical-Vocational Education Training enrollees to their accredited schools for those workers and would-be workers who want to improve their skills and earn a National Certificate.

This year’s month-long Labor Day celebration is anchored on the theme, “Bilihing Abot-Presyo ng Matatag na Trabaho Para sa Manggagawang Pilipino.” (DOLE10/PIA10)