The city government is threshing out plans to institutionalize a monthly “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” (KnP) activity that will serve as an additional venue for small entrepreneurs to sell their products and for the public to access fresh and affordable produce.
Councilor Van Dicang, chairperson of the Committee on Market, Trade and Commerce, in a message on Tuesday, said his proposal seeks to ensure that the city “provides active support and coordination with national agencies to help our residents who are engaged in small businesses.”
He noted that because products sold in the KnP are directly sourced from producers, they aim to bring down commodity prices by at least 10 percent lower than the prevailing market retail price.
“This way, the event will become an awaited activity and a sought-after (activity) by residents, ensuring that both the sellers and the buyers will benefit from the Kadiwa event,” the councilor said.
The KnP is set every last week of the month at the Igorot Park, the venue of the Kadiwa and past KnP events.
Currently, small farmers and producers sell and display their products at the Kadiwa store located at the Slaughter Compound in Baguio City, which was constructed using funds from the Department of Agriculture.
A Technical Working Committee will be created to oversee the program’s implementation and will be responsible for operational tasks, including overall management, coordination, product identification, vendor and venue scheduling, logistics, peace and order, cleanliness, information dissemination, and sales reporting.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology will also be accommodated in the event to enable persons deprived of liberty to market and sell their produce.
“This initiative aims to provide consumers with safe, affordable, and accessible food and basic commodities and strengthen market access for farmers, fisherfolk, agri-preneurs, and MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) through a structured multi-agency partnership led by the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office,” he said. (PNA)