Bago City in Negros Occidental has gathered at least 31 farmers and fisherfolk associations and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for its bi-monthly Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) in their new site at the City Hall grounds.
Organized by the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO), in partnership with the Office of the City Agriculture, the marketing initiative, held every 15th and 30th of the month, is part of the city government’s commitment to strengthening local enterprise and consumer access to locally produced, farmgate-priced goods.
Being sold are rice at PHP35 per kilo, fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as processed food products and non-food items.
In an interview on Wednesday, City Agriculturist Marvin John Blance said the KNP serves as a vital platform for empowering local farmers, fisherfolk, and micro-entrepreneurs by connecting them directly to consumers.
“Eliminating unnecessary middlemen ensures fair and just prices for both producers and buyers,” Blance told the Philippine News Agency.
“Together with our national government and local stakeholders, we will work to institutionalize the KNP as a regular and reliable avenue for promoting food security, advancing rural development, and upholding the enduring spirit of bayanihan (community spirit),” he said.
He said the KNP program also helps Bago City, the top rice producer of Negros Occidental, to strengthen its local food systems, enhance food accessibility and affordability, and create sustainable income opportunities for farming and agri-based communities.
In a statement, City Cooperative Development Officer Judee Lynn Lirazan, who is also the LEDIPO-designate, said the KNP also empowers MSMEs and provides consumers with quality local products.
“The new venue proved to be a game-changer, offering better visibility, easier access for consumers, and an inviting atmosphere for both sellers and buyers,” she said.
In her message on Tuesday, Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao expressed full support for the KNP, recognizing its role in driving inclusive economic growth and community resilience.
“The city government will continue to provide support in sustaining and expanding the initiative, believing in its power to uplift livelihoods and promote love for local produce,” the mayor said.
The KNP program is a farm-to-consumer market chain that eliminates intermediaries, allowing local producers to generate higher income by selling their produce directly to consumers.
On July 17, 2023, the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Presidential Communications Office and Presidential Management Staff signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to institutionalize and sustain the establishment of the KNP at the local level.
The MOA signing held at the Provincial Capitol of San Fernando, Pampanga was witnessed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PNA)