Bacolod City has introduced a new Kadiwa ng Pangulo center aimed at assisting small farmers in selling their produce directly to the public. The center was inaugurated on Sunday at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds, featuring products from the Bacolod City Integrated Small Farmers Federation and its 16 associated groups and small businesses.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez announced that the KNP Sunday Market will operate weekly from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., aiming to enhance local agriculture. He encouraged residents to support local farmers, emphasizing the availability of clean and healthy products year-round.
The launch showcased a diverse range of local agricultural goods, including seafood, seasonal fruits, vegetables, plants, succulents, herbs, traditional snacks, and brewed coffee. Various groups participated, such as the Highly-Urbanized City Agricultural and Fishery Council, Adiangawan Small Farmers Association, and others, including senior citizens from Barangay Granada and beneficiaries of the LAB for All Egg Laying Project.
The Kadiwa ng Pangulo program facilitates direct sales from farmers to consumers, eliminating intermediaries to make agricultural and fishery products more accessible and affordable. It aims to create additional market opportunities for farmers and fisherfolk, thereby increasing their income.
The initiative was developed in collaboration with multiple government departments, including Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Labor and Employment, Interior and Local Government, Social Welfare and Development, and the National Food Authority.