President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. renewed his administration's vow to improve the country's food production as he led the opening of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) in Limay, Bataan.

In his speech, the President acknowledged that there were already over 500 Kadiwa stores nationwide, but said these were still not enough.

He said he has already instructed the Department of Agriculture (DA), which he heads, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to make sure that the KNP would be felt across the country.

"Kulang na kulang pa yun (These are not enough)," he said on Friday, March 31.

"Pararamihin natin ito para kahit sa malalayo, sa mga lupalop ay makakaabot ang Kadiwa dahil lahat naman tayo dito sa Pilipinas ay nangangailangan ng tulong dito (We will add more so that even those in the far-flung areas can benefit from the Kadiwa)," he added.

Around 68 sellers from the DA, DTI, and the departments of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and of Labor and Employment (DOLE) participated in Friday's program.

The KNP aims to provide consumers with accessible and affordable food commodities to cushion and counter the effects of global inflation.

Since its launch in February this year, the KNP has already reached P3.66 million in total sales and is expected to increase further as more outlets will be opened in other sites nationwide this year.

Distribution of aid

Meanwhile, in another event, President Marcos assured residents of Limay that they would not be forgotten as he led the distribution of various government assistance to over 1,500 beneficiaries during his visit to Bataan on Friday.

In his speech, the President said his visit was his way to give back to those who supported him and Vice President Sara Duterte during the 2022 elections.

"Kaya’t ang isusukli po namin sa inyo ay walang tigil na trabaho upang gawing mas maganda ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino (We are paying you back by working tirelessly to improve the lives of every Filipino)," he said.

"Asahan niyo po na ang inyong pamahalaan hindi kayo nakakalimutan. Basta’t sinabi ninyo [na] kayo ay nangangailangan eh tuloy-tuloy pa rin po ang aming ibibigay na tulong (Rest assured, the government will not forget you. For as long as you tell us that you need something, we will give them to you)," he added.

Among those distributed were food packs and cash assistance worth P5,000 from DSWD's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), negosyo carts and cash assistance worth P1.12 million to the beneficiaries of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD), and P350,000 worth of financial aid to students under DOLE's Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).

The DTI likewise awarded a check amounting to P7.5 million to beneficiaries under the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp.)'s RISE UP Program. At the same time, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) distributed assistance worth P31,000 to scholar-beneficiaries under its Special Training for Employment Scholarship (STEP) Program.

As concurrent Agriculture Secretary, President Marcos handed over two farming equipment and fiberglass reinforced boats to farmers worth P2.96 million. He also awarded a P90-million check for the farm-to-market road project under the Philippine Rural Development Project.

In addition, Marcos distributed machinery and assistance to fishermen amounting to around P4 million, consisting of three marine engines, fisheries post-harvest equipment, and the establishment of a fry holding facility.