- Article by: JEAtienza & MCalderon
- Calapan City, Baco
The Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KnP) program continues to make waves in the province of Oriental Mindoro, as it brings farmers closer to consumers while boosting local agri-business. Spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office (PAgO), KnP has been actively rolled out across the province since its launch in 2023.
From January to June 2025, five KnP trade activities have already been facilitated by PAgO, generating an impressive Php 765,875.00 in total sales. These initiatives directly benefited 80 members from various Farmer Associations and Organizations, proving the program’s role in uplifting the livelihood of local producers.
The KnP initiative aims to strengthen the agricultural value chain via facilitation of market linkaging wherein it removed the unnecessary layers in the trading cycle. By pulling the middlemen out of the picture, the selling value of the products rises while the consumers benefit from freshly harvested crops and other food items. This program also capacitates our food growers to be agri-preneurs.
KADIWA was originally framed as a counter-measure for the price inflation during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it, the Kadiwa Program emerged as a government response to the disruption in food supply chains, rising commodity prices, and increased production costs. It was designed to improve food distribution and availability while offering a direct sales platform for local producers.
Under the the banner “Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita,” the KnP’s first activity for 2025 was held from January 29 to 31 at the DOLE Regional Office Parking Lot in Lumangbayan, Calapan City. The three-day event showcased the products of 12 Farmer Associations and yielded a total of Php 162,846.50 in sales, averaging over Php 54,000 per day.
Following its success, another KnP trade fair was held in conjunction with the LGU Baco Town Fiesta on March 10-11, 2025. The event was organized jointly by PAgO and DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) in coordination with the local government unit of Baco. Twelve local producers and ten cooperatives participated in the activity, which again recorded sales totaling Php 40,423.00, reflecting consistent demand for local agricultural products.
Two additional KnP events were conducted back at the DOLE Regional Office in Calapan City. The first was held from April 28 to May 2, 2025, and posted the highest single-event revenue so far at Php 246,512.00. The following event took place from May 19 to 23, which also brought in a solid Php 156,817.50 in sales. These consecutive events further reinforced the program’s role in creating stable and profitable market platforms for Mindoro farmers.
Aside from these ventures, a Pop-up KnP was also in set inside the Provincial Capitol Complex. Pop-up KADIWA stores are short-term KADIWA outlets that are placed in different areas, frequently in response to customer requests or to give people access to reasonably priced agricultural products. The pop-up KnP inside the capitol lasted from January to June 2025 with a total revenue of Php. 199,700.00 and an average monthly sales of Php. 33,283.50 marking another success in the KnP movement in the province.
Through Kadiwa ng Pangulo, local producers are now more equipped to take on entrepreneurial roles in the agricultural sector. The program not only brings immediate income but also lays the groundwork for long-term, sustainable agricultural enterprise development in Oriental Mindoro.
As KnP continues to gain traction in the province, local government units and national agencies are committed to further expand its reach and impact. In a recently carried out “Orientation on Implementation of Kadiwa ng Pangulo in MIMAROPA Region”, it was discussed that KnP will now be a regular activity which is to be executed once every month. This initiative will be coordinated with the Local government Units (LGUs) for the participating FCAs. The collaboration among DA, DOLE, PAgO, and LGUs reflects the government’s strong dedication to supporting farmers, promoting local food sovereignty, and stimulating rural economies.
Kadiwa ng Pangulo is more than just a trade fair, it is a platform for empowerment, and community resilience. With its ongoing success, the livelihood of our farmers and the agricultural sector in Oriental Mindoro looks increasingly bright.●