Gatchalian calls for more Kadiwa stores to empower farmers, consumers
SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian proposes the establishment of more Kadiwa Centers to bring agricultural products closer to consumers and subsequently lower food prices to more affordable levels.
“Para matugunan nang maayos ang problema sa mataas na presyo at kakulangan ng mga produktong pang-agrikultura, tulad ng sibuyas, kailangang mabigyan ng sapat na suporta ang mga magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng pagtatatag ng mas marami pang Kadiwa Centers,” Gatchalian said.
“Creating more farm-to-market retail centers, such as Kadiwa stores, will empower farmers because it will significantly improve their productivity levels as they are likely to become more motivated in improving farm efficiencies. Ultimately, this would increase farm output levels which in turn would mean higher income for farmers and lower food prices for consumers,” he added.
“Ang Valenzuela City ay isa sa mga nabiyayaan ng Kadiwa. Ang kagandahan nito ay nababawasan ang mga middleman. Dapat government-sponsored ang Kadiwa, ibig sabihin yung lugar, kuryente, at tubig ay manggagaling sa gobyerno para ‘yung mga kooperatiba ay diretso nang makakabenta sa mas murang halaga dahil walang patong mula sa middleman,” according to the senator.
To further empower farmers, Gatchalian said the government should also extend the provision of subsidies such as the Fuel Discount for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (FDFFP). Beginning in March last year, the agriculture department started implementing the program, which provides P3,000 in assistance to all farmer-beneficiaries.
The subsidy, aimed at helping farmers and fishermen defray the cost of diesel or gasoline amid high fuel prices brought about by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, was intended to cushion the impact of the current global economic challenges and enable the food production sector to be more productive.
