Steep food prices are the “biggest problem” Filipinos are facing, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday as he vowed to open moreKadiwa stores that would offer cheaper farm products and cut down inflation.
Attributing the problem to the country’s reliance on imports and its long-time neglect of the agriculture sector, the President directed concerned government agencies to further widen the existing coverage of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo as he launched the initiative in Limay, Bataan on Friday.
“I have already instructed the Department of Agriculture, our DTI – Department of Trade and Industry, as well as the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) so that it is not just a few if not more, to feel the Spirit of the President throughout the Philippines,” Mr. Marcos said in his speech.
This developed as the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) plans to sell an initial 4,000 tons of confiscated smuggled sugar in Kadiwa stalls starting in April, board member Pablo Luis Azcona said.
“We already have the approval for the donation of the sugar confiscated for the Kadiwa for sale. Last week, we were just discussing the documentation and the legalities so we can sell it right away,” Azcona said.
“I think just as long as we finish, there are certain details we are fixing up, where the funds will go, small details, something like that. And then after that, hopefully by April, it’s a go.”
The President led the distribution of various government assistance packages to over 1,500 beneficiaries in Limay.
Among the assistance distributed by the government were P90.1 million for the improvement of the Sitio Nazareno-Culis farm-to-market roadand P180.3 million for the construction of a fish landing facility in Orani, Bataan.
From the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the President handed over reinforced boats with marine engines, fishingparaphernalia, and fisheries post-harvest equipment costing P1.2 million.
Those given through certificates of award included a fry holding facility, milkfish fingerlings, tilapia fingerlings, and a smokehouse, amounting to P3.7 million.
Also handed over was assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under its various programs.
These included the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) amountingto P6.8 million; Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), P38.9 million and Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) Program, P15 million.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also launcheda pay-out for 934 beneficiaries, each receiving P5,000 under the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
The DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Division also gave out 1,000 family food packs, amounting to P777,000. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also gave out ovens and toolkits to STEP scholars.
On food prices, the President said: “We know that at present, that is the biggest challenge we are all facing, the prices of goods keep increasing. This became a problem because we depended too much on importation that we neglected our agriculture, leading to low production from our local farmers.”
Some 300 Kadiwa stalls are “viable and operational” across the country, Mr. Marcos noted.
“The challenge is expanding Kadiwa stores to more areas. The rice,sugar, and onions they sell run out quickly. This is why we should really improve our production,” he said.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista said they wouldtry establishing more Kadiwa stores in partnership with local government units and the trade department.
“We are also coordinating with our regional trade office to make it strategic. It should be accessible to our consumers. We are identifying areas where the products will come from,” Evangelista told reporters.
As the government has been opening more Kadiwa outlets, the President said it must also focus on improving agricultural productivity and reducing the country’s reliance on importations to stabilize the prices of basic goods.
Since its launch last year, the Kadiwa program has been successful inhelping Filipinos, particularly ordinary consumers, and those in the agriculture sector.
Last year, regular programs of both Kadiwa and Kadiwa ng Pasko earned more than P400 million, based on government figures.
Farmers, fisherfolk, and small businesses earned more than P3 million in two months through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo.
President Marcos also launched Kadiwa outlets in Cebu, Manila,Batangas, and Camarines Sur with more Filipino sellers and consumers now enjoying the benefits of the said trading program. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
It is part of the continuing expansion of the Kadiwa outlets nationwide aimed at giving a platform for Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to enable them to generate more income through direct farm-to-consumer trade.
On sugar, Azcona said retailers have stocks of sugar “so we slowly see the P85 per kilo targeted by the DA (Department of Agriculture),” he said.
Phytosanitary permits are not a problem, he noted, as all sugar products, seized or legal, undergo a check for quality assurance.
The President approved selling seized smuggled sugar, which could be given to government agencies as a “donation,” the Presidential Communications Office said recently.
The SRA expects sugar prices to go down to P70 per kilo following the approval to import 440,000 metric tons of the sweetener, said Azcona.
He said some 100,000 metric tons of sugar imports have arrived, with 16,000 metric tons already released and converted from reserve to domestic use.
The SRA is still waiting for approval of their request for the use reclassification of 24,500 metric tons, he said.
The regulator earlier said the imports would augment the local supply of sugar and curb rising prices.