By PR | 09:33 PM March 15, 2024
The flagship initiative of President Bongbong Marcos found its way to Bohol as the provincial government with National Government Agency (NGA) partners launched the Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita or KADIWA ng Pangulo on March 15 at the Old Tagbilaran Airport.
Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado led the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte, lawyers Kaye Yap and Glenn Cabada of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Cong. Alexie Tutor, lawyer Abel Damalerio, chief of staff of the office of Cong. Edgar Chatto, JP Maslog, representative of Cong. Vanessa Aumentado and Board Member lawyer Jamie Aumentado-Villamor.
Joining them were Leocadio Trovela, regional director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); Lilia Estillore, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); Esperanza Melgar, assistant regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Dr. Lorelei Acha, chief of agri-business and marketing assistance division of the Department of Agriculture (DA), and Liza Mojica, National Food Authority-Bohol administrator.
Welcoming guests and exhibitors, Caberte reported that 123 exhibitors, comprised of 24 One Town One Product (OTOP) mercato stalls, 53 agriculture producers including ornamental plants, and 46 booths of the Tagbilaran Airport Food Concessionaires Association are on display for the 3-day event.
She explained that sustaining and consistent with the program, this event will be regularly held every 15th and 30th of the month, at 3 days for each run.
Aumentado, for his part, highlighted KADIWA’s goal of stabilizing food prices and ensuring food sufficiency that strongly aligns with the provincial government’s strategic change agenda of becoming a smart-resilient, and inclusive province through climate-smart agriculture and a business-enabling environment.
He also bared that the meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) last March 14 was productive with the approval of a DA program on the Young Farmers Challenge that complements the KADIWA program.
In addition, he reported that the RDC also approved the resolution to fund the P200 million master plan and feasibility study for 10 big-ticket projects in Bohol, namely; Wastewater Treatment, Integrated Highway Development, Light Rail Transit, Sabo Dam Flood Control Project, Bohol Business Park, Ubay Airport Development Project, Light Industry Economic Zone Development, Bohol-Cebu Friendship Bridge, Bulk Water Supply and Talibon Cluster Sanitary Landfill.
The first run of the province’s KADIWA is scheduled until March 17 with daily operations between 9:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening.
Aside from sales from exhibitors, organizers linked with the Bohol Association of Hotels Resorts and Restaurants, the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Panglao Chamber of Commerce and Industry for market matching.
This opens opportunities to not only meet daily or spot sales but also allow for negotiated sales and bulk orders for farmers and producers for tourism industry players.
Also present during the launch were Board Member lawyer Tomas Abapo and Board Member Lawrence Ancla, Dauis Mayor Roman Bullen, Balilihan Mayor Pureza Veloso-Chatto, provincial directors of national line agencies, and members of the Management Executive Board of the Capitol.
KADIWA is a market linkage facilitation program designed to help local producers earn a higher income by eliminating intermediaries and, at the same time, allow consumers to buy agricultural products and other goods at a lower price. (PIMO/LMS)
