NAVOTAS representative Toby Tiangco said adding more Kadiwa stores nationwide will boost the income of farmers and give consumers access to quality and affordable food.
According to Tiangco, the Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to establish 71 more Kadiwa sites by year-end, focusing on major cities outside the National Capital Region (NCR).
“Napatunayan po ng administrasyong Marcos na kaya nating ibaba ang presyo ng prutas, gulay at iba pang pagkain. Napakalaking tulong ng Kadiwa stores sa ating mga kababayan at dapat lang maiparating pa natin ang programang ito sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa,” Rep. Tiangco said.
“Bukod dito, malaking tulong din ito sa ating mga magsasaka dahil nabibigyan sila ng pagkakataon na direktang ibenta ang kanilang ani. Dahil walang middleman, lumalaki ang kanilang kinikita habang nagiging mas mura naman ang presyo ng pagkain,” he added.
Tiangco said the expansion of Kadiwa in different parts of the country aligns with President Marcos’ goal to make these stores more accessible and bring discounted agriculture products to more Filipinos.
Currently, there are 41 operational Kadiwa centers nationwide, alongside 67 others managed by the National Irrigation Administration.
While most centers are located in NCR, there are also sites in Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan, and Cebu.
“The Marcos administration plans to open 1,500 Kadiwa sites across the country by 2028,” Tiangco said.
“With agricultural products priced 20 to 30 percent lower than market rates, we hope to bring these stores closer to more communities,” he added.
