Panfilo Lacson Bats to institutionalize the Kadiwa program

Former Panfilo Lacson senator. (Conster.net file photo)

Manila, the Philippines – the Panfilo Lacson senatorial candidate said Thursday that he was considering the institutionalization of the Kadiwa program to help eliminate intermediaries that add to agricultural costs and let the local government units (LGU) intervene directly into the chain of supply.

He said this at a press conference ahead of the Alyansa proclamation rally for Sa Bagg Pilipinas in the city of Iloilo.

“I want to study how to institutionalize Kadiwa stores through the legislation so that we can eliminate the numerous intermediaries, since this will directly connect to the producers with the consumers with the help of the local government units,” Lacson said in Filipino.

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The Kadiwa program is a retail system administered by the government designed to connect farmers directly with consumers.

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It is aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to maintain food security and allow the marginalized sector to allow agricultural products at a lower price.

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In the same press conference, Lacson said that some LGU have already adopted the Kadiwa program.

“Ito’y napa-Practice na sa Ibang probinsya na kung saan nakikiam na ang (lgus), nag-i-intervene, na ‘yung mga produces ng mga farmers ay sila rin ang bumibili at dy-distribute sa mga kadiwa stores, nang Sa Gayon, ‘Pag Nawala’ Yong Mga Middlemen, Malaki Ang Baba ng Prese, “he said.

“This is already being practiced in some provinces where the LGU intervenes when buying farmers producers and distributing them to Kadiwa stores. In this way, by eliminating intermediaries, prices fall significantly, ”he said.

He added that, instead of the Kadiwa program being temporary, it would be better to institutionalize it through legislation to help not only farmers but also common consumers.