Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced its objective to operationalize 179 Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) sites by the end of the year, following the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide affordable goods, particularly rice, to Filipinos impacted by recent typhoons in Metro Manila. Kadiwa facilitates direct sales from farmers and producers, bypassing intermediaries, through the DA. According to Philippines News Agency, the Rice for All program offers well-milled rice at PHP42 per kilo, while the P29 initiative provides aging but good quality rice stocks from the National Food Authority to senior citizens, beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, persons with disabilities, and solo parents. During a press conference at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Expo 2024, DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve-Velicaria Guevarra shared that there are currently 108 KNP centers in the country, with 41 operated by the DA and 67 by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). Guevarra stated, "By the end of December, our target is to increase it to 179 through the help of NIA, as we saw that they have many stores converted to Kadiwa ng Pangulo Centers," highlighting expansions in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Presently, KNP centers are predominantly located in Metro Manila, with others in Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan, and Cebu provinces. By mid-2025, the DA aims to expand to 300 KNP centers, and to 1,500 by the end of President Marcos's term in 2028. Guevarra emphasized the importance of regional expansion, stating, "Our expansion is crucial, and it's very important not only in Metro Manila but also in each region." She noted that the target expansion is achievable through converting existing Kadiwa stores to centers and partnering with government agencies like the Philippine Carabao Center, National Housing Authority, and Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost). Guevarra added, "PHLPost has offices directly within municipal offices. They also have trucks and are in the best position to he lp us transport goods nationwide." In addition to KNP expansion, the DA plans to acquire 45 more vehicles to support the 32 existing Kadiwa-on-wheels. For the Christmas season, the DA assures that Filipinos can access cheaper goods from KNP sites. Guevarra remarked, "We have partners, and we expect cheaper Noche Buena items this Christmas in Kadiwa." The DA also aims to collaborate with more farmer cooperatives and major private companies through the KNP Expo 2024, scheduled for November 26-28 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. Guevarra noted, "Big companies and restaurants are interested in partnering with our cooperatives under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program to source supplies for their businesses." The KNP Expo 2024 will showcase Kadiwa products, regional products, and success stories of Kadiwa partner cooperatives.