President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said he will expand the “Kadiwa ng Pasko” project to ensure Filipinos have access to fresh and affordable agri-fishery products and address price increases during the holidays.
In a video message during the launch of the event at Rasac Covered Court in Santa Cruz, Manila, Mr. Marcos thanked the suppliers who participated in the trial run of the project.
“I want to greet the sellers who joined the Kadiwa ng Pasko trial run. Thank you very much for participating in the new program which we want to expand to help our fellow countrymen, especially as Christmas draws near,” he said.
The Department of Agriculture, headed by Mr. Marcos, is the lead agency of the program that markets the agri-fishery products of local farmers and fisherfolk and helps address price surges associated with the Christmas season.
Thirteen farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Bicol Region were vegetables, fruits, fish, eggs, rice, and dairy products.
Eleven Young Farmers Challenge awardees in 2021 and 2022 from CAR and Central Luzon also showcased their products.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration was also directed to sell sugar with the “BBM” label for P70 per kilo while the Department of Trade and Industry invited local micro, small, and medium enterprises to sell canned goods, cheese, bread, and other basic commodities.
The Kadiwa ng Pasko program will be implemented in other areas in Metro Manila and will likely be expanded to include other regions.
In Manila, it will be held in all weekends of November.
Last month, President Marcos met with the agriculture cluster of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) to discuss his administration’s priorities, specifically measures to ensure food security in the country.
During the meeting, the President received recommendations from the PSAC on digital farming methods and supply chain improvement strategies that will boost the government’s food security program.
The PSAC also proposed the review of the policies and structure of the National Food Authority (NFA) to enable the agency to operate as a logistics hub and reduce losses for the government.
To improve the income of Filipino farmers, Mr. Marcos ordered the acceleration of replanting of coconut trees and distribution of seedlings as well as intercropping for better land use.
The President also issued a directive to control the threat of African Swine Fever, particularly the strict implementation of all measures put in place to control ASF, including the ban on all trucks with pig and pork products from outside Panay region for 60 days.