Elderly man dies after being hit by vehicle while lining up at Kadiwa center

A 74-year-old man died after being hit by a vehicle while lining up at a Kadiwa center to buy rice in Quezon City.

In an interview on super radyo dzBB, DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra said the incident occurred at around 3 a.m., when the victim was already in line for the government’s subsidized food program.

She expressed grief over the incident, saying it was the kind of situation the agency had hoped to prevent.

“Yun nga po, nakakalungkot pong balita. Ito nga po yung sinasabi namin na gusto sana naming iwasan.”

(This is very sad news. This is what we have been trying to avoid.)

She noted that recently, people have been lining up as early as midnight outside Kadiwa sites, even though selling operations typically begin at 6 a.m.

Guevarra said the agency has been providing seating for those in line and allows them to enter once operations begin but acknowledged that further improvements are needed, particularly in ensuring safety.

“Kailangan siguro mas paigtingin pa natin ang security,” said Guevarra.

(We may need to further strengthen security.)

She also urged the public to avoid arriving at Kadiwa sites too early to prevent similar incidents.

“'Wag na po sana tayong pumunta doon ng ganong mga klaseng oras, baka may mangyari pong ganoon,” she said.

(We hope people will avoid going there at such early hours because something like that might happen.)

The DA official assured the public that there is sufficient supply of goods in Kadiwa centers, emphasizing that even those who arrive later still have a chance to purchase.

“Marami po stocks na bigas, kahit walk-in po nakakabili naman po lahat ng pumipila doon. Iwasan na lang po na sobrang aga pumipila," she added.

(There is enough rice supply. Even walk-ins are still able to buy. We just ask people not to line up too early.) —Sherylin Untalan/ VAL, GMA News