BY MARCHEL P. ESPINA
The provincial government of Negros Occidental turned over P2.5 million to an accredited non-government organization to manage and operate its Kadiwa market.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday led the turnover of a check to Reynic Alo, president of the Multi-Sectoral Alliance for Development, at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City. They were joined by Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino and supervising agriculturist Dina Genzola.
At the start of the lockdown, the Department of Agriculture rolled out “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita” markets in Western Visayas to provide income to farmers, and to make fruits, vegetables, and fishery products accessible to residents even with the implementation of the community quarantine.
In Negros Occidental, the provincial government, along with the DA and its rider partners, started the Kadiwa Market on April 1 to establish a direct link between the farmers and fisherfolk and the consumers.
Lacson earlier said the provincial government wanted to sustain the marketing initiative and that it tapped MUAD, an accredited organization with experience in consolidation and marketing, to operate the Kadiwa market.
He had said the provincial government will allocate P2.5 million as marketing fund for the consolidation and operationalization of the Kadiwa center.
Masculino said the partnership will have an impact on the farmers, considering that they also composed the organization.
“We are transforming our farmers to become agripreneurs,” he added.
From April 1 to June 22, total sales generated at the Kadiwa market in the province already reached P2,751,565, with 467 farmers and fisherfolk suppliers linked, more than 3,000 consumers catered, and generated employment for 20 Negrenses.*
