Fresh off the successful R’Cebu installment over the weekend, Gov. Gwen Garcia led the ribbon-cutting of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo trade fair at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu as the province takes part in the program’s simultaneous roll-out nationwide on Monday, July 17.
At least 35 farmer groups, fisherfolk organizations, and MSMEs from the different parts of Cebu are displaying their products at the Kadiwa fair which will run until Wednesday, July 19.
An initiative of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (which he got from his father, former president Marcos Sr.), the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program aims to ensure that food commodities are made available in high consumer-demand areas by harnessing private sector participation, capacity enhancement of farmer cooperatives and associations, and engaging community organizations’ participation in food supply distribution system.
Since the program removes middlemen in the movement of products, goods in Kadiwa fairs are sold at cheaper and more affordable prices.
“I said this again: synchronicities. It’s a series of coincidences that seem to have no connection, and yet when you look back and you think about it, after all there was a reason,” Gov. Garcia said in her speech, adding that President Marcos’ Kadiwa ng Pangulo Diskwentong Caravan and the Capitol’s Caravan of Services are undeniable synchronicity.
“Another synchronicity. For what reason? What greater reason can there be than for us elected and appointed servants of the public to come together in order to uplift the lives of our fellow Cebuanos, fellow Filipinos who need our help the most?” she added.
Due to the overwhelming success of “Kadiwa ng Pasko” launching last year, President Marcos pushed for its expansion as a national program to serve holiday seasons. Thus, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo was first launched in Cebu on February 27 this year.
The governor was joined by OPAV Undersecretary Terrence Calatrava; Tudela Mayor Jojo Solante; DILG 7 director Leocadio Trovela; Department of Agriculture regional executive director Angel Enriquez; NFA 7 director Maria Fe Evasco; and DSWD 7 director Shalaine Lucero, and DTI Cebu provincial director Rose Mae Quiñanola. | Carlo Lorenciana