DA asks DILG's support to allow Kadiwa rolling stores in barangays

An official of the Department of Agriculture said Sunday that the agency is negotiating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to allow the entry of Kadiwa rolling stores in barangays, in efforts to help the public cope with the increasing prices of basic commodities.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Agriculture Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista pointed out that Kadiwa rolling stores' entry to barangays needs to secure a permit from local government units (LGUs).

“Nung isang araw lang, kausap ko si DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya at humihingi kami ng tulong para ang ating mga lokal na pamahalaan ay payagan na mag-park ang ating [store] truck sa iba’t ibang barangay, pati na rin siguro sa harap ng kanilang city hall, on a weekly basis,” she said.

(We discussed with DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya the other day over the possibility of allowing our truck to visit the barangays on a weekly basis.)

According to DA, the Kadiwa project aims to establish a direct marketing link between farmers and fishers, and consumers. Their outlets sell fresh vegetables and other agri-fishery products that are at least 20% cheaper compared to prices in public markets.

While awaiting LGUs’ permission, Evangelista called on barangay captains to inform her office if some barangays are interested in the Kadiwa rolling stores.

“Kung barangay captain, he will give us space already, pwede silang tumawag sa akin para sabihin kung saang lugar and in a matter of three days, we can start scheduling tapos tignan natin. Kung maganda ang turnout, then we can do it on a weekly basis sa kanilang barangay,” she added.

[Barangay captains who are willing to give us space may give us a call so we can arrange a schedule.]

Earlier, the DA said that it will come up with a farm-to-market-road (FMR) master plan with the target of ensuring food security in the country and empowering rural communities. —LBG, GMA News