This as the agency launched its “Kadiwa ng Pasko” on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, simultaneously with other regional offices.
DA Regional Director Joel Elumba said the Kadiwa carts will be open until Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
But Elumba said they are looking to extend its operation for a week for consumers to take advantage of its affordable market products.
Among the products sold are fresh vegetables and seafood, with prices at least 15 to 25 percent lower than the prices in regular markets.
“For example, our bangus here is sold at P140 per kilo in our BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) on Wheels. This is at least 26 percent cheaper compared to its prevailing price in the wet market for P190,” said Dave Amrinto, head of the Market Development Section of Agribusiness and Markerting Assistance Division.
The market also sells NFA rice for P25.
Amrinto said even before the Kadiwa ng Pasko was launched, there were already at least six Kadiwa Carts selling affordable farm goods in Cebu City since 2016. One is at the Ayala Center Cebu and another at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.
They said they are hopeful that a Kadiwa Store will be implemented in Cebu City soon.
As of Nov. 29, at least 28 Kadiwa ng Pasko sites were already open across the country, according to the Office of the Press Secretary.
Kadiwa ng Pasko sites in the country aim to bring agricultural and fishery products closer to the community at lower prices. (HIC)