Local officials in Bulacan on Wednesday thanked the national government for bringing the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” (KNP) program to the province, giving the residents an opportunity to buy affordable agricultural products as well as other food and non-food items.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the launch of the KNP program in the City of San Jose Del Monte that offers lower-priced products to help consumers amid the rising prices of various commodities.

At the same time, it provides farmers, fisherfolk and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with a platform that enables them to generate more income since middlemen are eliminated, thus they sell their produce at better prices and directly to the people.

Mayor Arthur Robes of the City of San Jose Del Monte said the KNP is an excellent and timely program of the national government that could help consumers amid the rising inflation rate.

“Isang malaking kasiyahan sa bawat mamamayan ng lungsod na tayo ay magkaroon ng ganitong program. Tamang-tama sa inflation na nangyayari sa ating bansa. Ito ay isang pagpapatunay lamang kung gaano kamahal ng ating Pangulo na mabigyan ng mas murang bilihin an gating mga kababayan hindi lang lungsod, hindi lang sa lalawigan, kungdi sa buong Pilipinas (It is great pleasure for every resident in this city of having such a program. This is timely response for the inflation occurring in our country. This is just a proof of how much our President loves to provide cheaper commodities to our countrymen not only in the city, not only in the province, but in the whole Philippines),” Robes said during the event.

He assured the President of their continuous support for the programs of the national government that could help uplift the lives of the poor Filipinos.

“Rest assured that we will continue to help and support all the activities and programs of the national government to give response in improving the lives of our poor citizens in the entire Philippines and in the province of Bulacan, especially in the City of San Jose Del Monte,” he added.

Marcos thanked all the participants as well as the provincial government of Bulacan for its full support of the KNP.

“This cannot be done by the Department of Agriculture alone. This cannot be done by the national government alone without the support and good partnership with our local government,” President Marcos said.

Some 50 sellers from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Labor and Employment participated in the Kadiwa, selling various products such as vegetables, fruits, household items, and among others.

Kadiwa is a market linkage facilitation program of the DA aimed at making products such as rice, fish, poultry and livestock, fruits and vegetables, and other basic commodities accessible, available and affordable to the poor.

The program also seeks to establish an additional market for small farmers and fisherfolk, increase their income and ensure a stable price and supply of food and other basic commodities within poor areas. (PNA)