Kadiwa stores in the country play an important role in the lives of Filipinos in need amid inflation, a central bank official said.
Through a statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) monetary board member Bruce Tolentino stressed the importance of Kadiwa outlets in the country,  especially the poor adversely affected by increasing price of food and basic commodities. "I would like to clarify that the Kadiwa program is in fact an important measure as it quickly responds to the food insecurity suffered by depressed communities and groups," Tolentino said. He further said that it is also "a useful measure to introduce high nutrient foods to malnourished populations." The BSP official pointed out that establishing Kadiwa outlets in various areas in the country  is a "welcome effort" at a time when inflation remains uncertain. "And if it is expanded, hopefully the (Marcos) administration will find a way to achieve its vision of giving Filipino farmers, fisherfolk and MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprise) an opportunity to generate more income through direct farm-to-consumer trade through the program,” Tolentino said. There are currently more than 300 Kadiwa stores around the country. Kadiwa is a farm-to-consumer market chain program under the Department of Agriculture (DA) that eliminates intermediaries, allowing local producers to sell directly to consumers at affordable prices.