The government aims to set up 1,500 Kadiwa stores nationwide by 2028, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Monday.
In a Malacañang briefing, Castro said the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program.
“Mula sa anim na post office na dati ng nag-host ng Kadiwa pop-up stores, palalawakin na ito sa 67 post office sa Metro Manila at iba pang bahagi ng Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao. At inaasahang aabot pa sa 1,500 ang Kadiwa stores sa buong bansa pagsapit ng 2028,” Castro said.
Castro said this is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to make essential food products accessible to all Filipinos, particularly the vulnerable.
“Alinsunod sa pangako ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na magbigay ng abot-kaya at dekalidad na pagkain, pumirma ng kasunduan ang Department of Agriculture at Philippine Postal Corporation or PHLPost para palawakin pa ang Kadiwa ng Pangulo program sa buong bansa,” Castro said.
Under the MOU, Castro said the PHLPost will provide more spaces for Kadiwa stores in identified post offices across the country to widen the program reach. The post offices will provide necessary equipment for better operations.
The DA, for its part, will handle the logistics and ensure the safety of the products, according to the MOU.
PHLPost has 1,100 post offices nationwide, which could eventually host Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores and centers.
Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores offer basic commodities such as rice, meat, and fish at affordable prices. | PND
