The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of Agriculture on Saturday inaugurated the first Kadiwa retail store at the AFP general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City to avert a potential food crisis in military camps amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gen. Felimon Santos, AFP chief of staff, said the Kadiwa retail store is part of the DA's flagship marketing and agribusiness strategy that aims to "ensure food commodities are made available and accessible in high consumer demand areas."
Kadiwa retail stores not only provide a reliable supply of food for the communities but also help local farmers who benefit from the Agriculture department's program by selling their fresh produce, according to DA Secretary William Dar, who attended the launching ceremony.
Dar noted that Kadiwa retail stores establish a direct market for producers and consumers and alleviates the negative effects of the pandemic on the agri-fishery industry.
"We want to provide a link between the producers and the market. We also see to it that the producers get the right price for their produce and the consuming public getting a fair and affordable price," he said.
Santos thanked the DA for accommodating the military's request to establish a Kadiwa retail store in Camp Aguinaldo as he said it will make healthy and fresh food options more accessible to tenants and personnel assigned in the military headquarters.
"These kinds of support give Filipinos the strength to endure and persevere in this pandemic. We are glad to be in partnership with DA and we hope that we can continue our cooperation for the benefit of every Filipino," Santos said.
Dar said dozens, if not hundreds, of Kadiwa retail stores have been setup nationwide and have reached total sales of P6 billion.