Kadiwa Stores: Bringing cheaper goods closer to the public

The rising prices of basic goods continue to be a challenge to many, especially those who have to eke out a living. Recognizing this issue, President Marcos has vowed to make locally produced products cheaper and more accessible to the public. One way of fulfilling this promise is through the launch of the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” stores.

Originally launched as the “Kadiwa ng Pasko” project in November 2022, the Kadiwa program is a farm-to-consumer market chain that does away with intermediaries, allowing local producers to generate higher income by selling their produce directly to consumers.

It was launched during the presidency of the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to guarantee food availability and affordability in high-demand areas and communities with low-income families.

Among the goods sold in Kadiwa stores are fruits and vegetables and other goods like cooking oil, fresh fish, and poultry.

The Kadiwa stores also sell aging but good-quality rice at ₱29 per kilo from the National Food Authority (NFA). The ₱29 rice program is aimed at serving the vulnerable sectors, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino (4Ps) members, persons with disabilities (PWD), senior citizens, and solo parents. It is also a step closer to the President’s promise of lowering the market price of rice to ₱20 per kilo.

According to Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, they are also coordinating with food manufacturers to supply other basic goods such as condiments, sugar, and canned goods to Kadiwa stores.

As of May 2024, over 4.38 million households have been serviced by almost 7,000 traders and farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) through Kadiwa activities.

Citing its usefulness and convenience, President Marcos has ordered all Kadiwa Stores to be permanent.

“Nagsilbing kaagapay ng taumbayan ang Kadiwa sa panahon na mataas ang presyo ng pagkain (The Kadiwa has been a big help to the people, especially when the price of food is high),” he said during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2024. “Dahil naging epektibo ito, ang mga Kadiwa Centers ay magpapatuloy pa (Since they’ve been proven effective, the Kadiwa Centers will continue).”

In a post-SONA briefing, Laurel said they are planning to turn Kadiwa into “brick-and-mortar stores all over the Philippines.”

“Ang gagawin natin is ile-level up natin (We will level it up) from mere pop-up stores. Pero gagawin nating (We will make them) permanent brick-and-mortar stores to all over the Philippines,” he said.

Laurel said the DA is striving to achieve 1,500 sites in the next three years to serve almost every municipality and city in the country.

In August 2024, Laurel said there were 17 regularly operating and 230 irregular Kadiwa stores nationwide.

“Kapag na-establish na naman iyong smooth logistics flow ng goods at saka iyong takbo ng transaksiyon ay i-eexpand na natin iyan (Once we have established the logistics and smooth flow of goods as well as transactions, we will expand) in the next four years,” he said, adding thatthey would also do Kadiwa franchising.

“We will allow private sector operators or cooperatives to use the Kadiwa name in selected sites as long as they abide by the rules and guidelines or policies of DA,” he explained. “At ang importante, nandiyan iyong mga Kadiwa at magbenta sa tamang halaga (What’s important is the Kadiwa is there and selling good at the right price).”