Amid the increasing prices of goods and commodities, authorities are now eyeing to extend Kadiwa ng Pasko until early 2023 to help more farmers and consumers who have been directly affected by the present challenges.
In a “Laging Handa” briefing Friday, Dec. 2, Agriculture Spokesperson Asec. Kristine Evangelista, shared the main goals of the program led by Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and other agencies; which is to help farmers sell their produce directly to the consumers and to provide goods to consumers at lower price.
She also mentioned Agriculture Chief and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr's goal to extend the supposed Christmas program until February or March 2023.
"Nakita nga po niya na malaki po ang difference ng presyo ng mga produktong ibinibenta sa Kadiwa kumpara po doon sa mga binibenta sa ibang mga lugar, at ito po ay talagang nakakatulong sa ating mga consumers (He saw the huge difference between the products sold in Kadiwa and the ones being sold in other places, and the products in Kadiwa stores are really helping the consumers)," she said.
"Kaya tuluy-tuloy po ang ating programa in partnership with the LGUs (local government units). We are identifying several areas already. So maaasahan po ng ating mga kababayan na iyong mga affordable agricultural commodities, iyon po ay commitment na gagawin po nating available sa ating mga consumers (That's why our program will continue in partnership with LGUs. We are identifying several areas already so we can ensure affordable agricultural commodities for our fellows, this is our commitment to make our products affordable for consumers)," she added.
Evangelista also assured that the products being sold in Kadiwa will be P20 cheaper than the current prices in the market.
"P20 cheaper po ang ating mga gulay, kahit po ang asukal doon, nagbibenta rin po ng bigas (The prices of vegetables, sugar, rice, among others will be P20)," she maintained.
"Aside from that, makikita din po ng ating mga magsasaka na ito na nga ang kanilang pagkakataon na diretso na silang nakakabenta sa merkado (Aside from that, our farmers will have the opportunity to directly sell their products to the market)," she went on.
Kadiwa stores sell onions for only P170 per kilo, sugar for P70 per kilo, and rice for as low as P25 per kilo, among others.
Kadiwa stores are now located in 44 areas in the National Capital Region and are present in up to 255 areas nationwide, as of writing.