A truckload of locally-produced fruits, vegetables, eggs, rice, and manufactured goods arrives in Sto. Niño Village, Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City on January 26, 2021, as DA CALABARZON’s KAtuwang sa DIwa at GaWA (KADIWA) ni Ani at Kita Project continues to supply fresh and quality produce to consumers in Metro Manila.
In response to Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar’s call to increase the supply of farm produce from the region to be consumed by Metro Manila residents, DA CALABARZON through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division sees to it that farmers’ associations and cooperatives (FCAs) are encouraged to allocate enough supply of quality and affordable produce for the Metro.
According to Ms. Maria Almira Silva, Operations Manager of Batangas Organic and Natural Farming Agriculture Cooperative, they supply almost two tons of produce from FCAs across CALABARZON to consumers in Muntinlupa city every week.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa DA dahil sa tulong po na hatid ninyo gaya po ng KADIWA project. Nang dahil po rito ay nagkaroon po kami ng access sa market directly to the consumers. Nagkaroon din po kami ng additional income dahil wala na pong traders. Labis pong natutuwa ang farmers dahil nabebenta po ang kanilang mga produkto sa tamang halaga. Gayundin po, natutuwa rin po ang consumers dahil sa mura at de-kalidad na produkto na kanilang nabibili,” Ms. Silva said.
Ms. Floreida dela Cruz, resident of Sto. Niño Village, expressed how helpful the KADIWA project is to their residence especially to senior citizens who are prohibited from buying groceries.
“Sa tulong po ng KADIWA, hindi na po namin kailangan pang lumayo. Nakakabili po kami ng mga prutas at gulay na kung minsan ay mas mababa pa ang presyo kaysa sa palengke. At dahil bawal lumabas ang mga matatanda, nakakatulong din ang KADIWA upang sila ay ligtas na makapamili ng mga gusto nilang gulay at prutas,” Ms. Floreida said.
Various produce such as egg, different kinds of rice, onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, bell pepper, potato, carros, cabbage, ampalaya, okra, sitaw, cucumber, radish, broccoli, cauliflower, leaks, saba, melon, honeydew, watermelon, and banana were sold during the KADIWA. Some locally-manufactured products such as turmeric powder, coffee, vinegar, peanut butter, and dried and smoked fish were also for sale during the activity. # # # (DA-RFO IVA, RAFIS)
