CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) thru the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) continues to support the farmers and fishers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) with the Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Inclusive Food Supply Chain program.

On Tuesday, April 27, DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado handed the check amounting to P900,000 to Paglingkawas Women’s Federation (PAWFED) represented by Chief Executive Officer Blenda M. Desierto for the procurement of 1 unit utility van.

Funded under Bayanihan Act II, PAWFED has availed a total of P1 million financial grant under said program.

The Enhanced Kadiwa primarily aims to support qualified FCAs, who act as an assembler, consolidator or distributor of food commodities thru Kadiwa retail stores.

RED Collado noted, that the remaining 10 percent will be released after completing its liquidation of the 90 percent initial allocation [P900,000.00].

He assured, that the group can still avail other programs of DA to scale up their farming endeavors, especially on the marketing aspect.

Meanwhile, Desierto said, the vehicle will be used for the rolling store, where they can market the produce of local farmers and fishers directly to the consumers in the different barangays of Kauswagan and all other towns of Lanao del Norte.

“Dako kaayong ikatabang ang maong programa, hilabina karon sa panahon sa pandemya diin kadaghanan sa mga konsumante galikay sa pagsulod sa mga pampublikong merkado aron mahilayu sa sakit nga COVID-19. Pinaagi sa dugang nga tabang pinansyal sa DA Enhanced Kadiwa program, makapalit na kami og usa ka utility van nga among magamit sa paghatod ug pagbaligya ngadto sa mga kabaranggayan, sa mga preskong utanon, prutas, isda, karne ug uban pa, sa presyo nga mas barato,” she expressed.

[The program is beneficial, especially during this pandemic, where most consumers refrain from entering public markets, which are usually crowded amid the COVID-19 health crisis. With this DA financial grant of Enhanced Kadiwa program, we can purchase a utility van that will be used to bring our fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, pork, beef, poultry products, among others for sale, at reasonable prices.]

Currently, PAWFED has a total of 1,600 members from across Lanao del Norte, and has consistently been recognized as Most Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal in the region since 2014 until present.

According to DA-10 AMAD OIC-Chief Larry L. Paraluman, aside from PAWFED, four other FCAs in the region have availed the Enhanced Kadiwa financial grant under Bayanihan I and II, starting last year.# (EMBentulan)