Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne Baronda underscored the need to strengthen the government’s Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, which is being implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a press conference on Tuesday, Baronda noted that basic commodities are among those that will be impacted by the rising fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis.

She said that Kadiwa centers sell their produce at a lower price compared with the market prices.

“If we strengthen the Kadiwa, we are giving our consumers an option. Not only will consumers benefit, but local farmers will benefit as well,” she said.

Baronda said the move is also timely as some transient vendors from Iloilo province are having problems with the adjustments at the Iloilo City public market.

“We should not allow prices of basic commodities in the city and province of Iloilo to increase due to lack of supply,” she said.

Baronda is set to meet with officials of DA 6 (Western Visayas) this week to discuss the needed support for Kadiwa and its other programs.

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo is one of the flagship programs of the Marcos administration to address rising food prices.

It provides farmers, fisherfolk, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with venues to directly sell their produce and facilitates market linkages, removing unnecessary layers in the trading cycle. (PNA)