President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Thursday launched the first Kadiwa ng Pangulo initiative in the Bicol Region, saying his government is close to achieving Php 20 per kilo of rice making it more affordable to Filipinos.
Speaking during the Kadiwa launch in Pili, Camarines Sur, the President said the program, which started as Kadiwa ng Pasko last year, is successful in bringing affordable basic commodities to the people.
“Makikita ninyo, halimbawa ‘yung bigas, ‘yung aking pangarap na sinabi na noong bago akong upo na sana mapababa natin ang presyo ng bigas ng Php20. Hindi pa tayo umaabot doon, dahan-dahan palapit. Nasa Php25 na tayo. Kaunti na lang, maibababa natin ‘yan,” President Marcos said.
“Tapos ‘yung ginawa natin, halimbawa doon sa sibuyas, ganoon din para… Biglang nagtaasan lahat eh kulang sa produksyon. Ginawa namin ay dinagdagan namin para bumaba rin ang presyo,” the President added.
The chief executive noted that a similar initiative was carried out by the government when sugar prices rose to more than Php100 a kilo, noting sugar price is now at P85 per kilo.
The administration has so far launched more than 500 Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets nationwide, the President reported.
Aside from providing consumers with cheap basic goods, President Marcos said the program also gears toward assisting local farmers and producers to secure direct access to markets.
“Lahat po ‘yan ay binibigyan din natin ng pagkakataon ‘yung mga maliliit na negosyo sa bawat lugar kung saan ‘yung Kadiwa para mayroon silang lugar para ipagbili ang kanilang mga produkto,” the President pointed out.
The current government thrust is to assist micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) recover from the impact of Covid-19, President Marcos said, explaining MSMEs comprised 99.5 percent of the country’s small businesses.
The President also thanked the different agencies that supported the initiative such as the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
At Kadiwa outlets, the National Food Authority (NFA) also sells rice at reduced prices while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) offers affordable seafood products to consumers.
