By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The Iloilo City Council is proposing the institutionalization of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, which aims to provide affordable, high-quality rice to vulnerable sectors in the city.
Councilor Frances Grace Parcon, chair of the committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Aquatic and Natural Resources, said the city already has initiatives like Mercado Local and Uswag Rolling Store, which were developed during the pandemic to provide safer market options.
These existing programs will be retained and integrated into the Kadiwa program.
Parcon explained that the proposed ordinance has two main components: providing assistance to farmers and establishing a designated venue where local farmers can sell their products.
“The Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured us that they will assist our farmers’ groups in applying for grants since it is exclusive to local government units under the Kadiwa program,” she said.
Financial grants for farmer organizations range from ₱500,000 to ₱5 million.
“We will also have a venue for our local farmers. The DA said their priority is LGUs that have the Kadiwa program,” Parcon added.
Kadiwa centers will cater to vulnerable groups such as solo parents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and 4Ps beneficiaries, along with one companion, allowing them to purchase subsidized rice at ₱29 per kilo.
During the committee hearing, some individuals suggested extending the ₱29-per-kilo rice to those not part of the vulnerable groups.
“The DA and City Agriculture Office committed to writing to the National Food Authority to include Iloilo City in the Rice-for-All Program,” Parcon said.
The Rice-for-All Program offers well-milled rice at ₱40 per kilo and is open to all residents seeking affordable rice options.
Parcon is targeting the approval of the proposed ordinance next week.
“This ₱29 rice is already a big help to our residents. The DA even shared with us that during their event at Robinsons, they had almost ₱1 million in rice sales alone,” she said.
Parcon also emphasized the importance of institutionalizing the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, noting that it has been incorporated as an indicator for the Seal of Good Local Governance by the Department of Agriculture.
