Pangasinan: About 2,500 farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives and associations from Pangasinan have benefited from the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program from 2022 to 2024, and the Provincial Agriculture Office aims to increase this further. This initiative comes on the heels of the province being awarded the national grand winner for outstanding Kadiwa ng Pangulo implementer in the local government unit category. The awarding ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday in Nueva Ecija.

According to Philippines News Agency, provincial agriculturist Dalisay Moya expressed uncertainty regarding the cash prize amount but emphasized its importance for enhancing the province's agriculture sector. "We have requested that it will be placed in the trust fund for agriculture development. We hope to purchase transport vehicles or build storage facilities depending on the amount," Moya stated.

From 2022 to 2024, around 2,500 exhibitors participated in 97 Kadiwa-related activities across Lingayen town and 11 other localities in the province. These events were conducted in collaboration with local governments. Kadiwa ng Pangulo activities occur twice a month in the capitol grounds of Lingayen town, while Kadiwa on Wheels events are held monthly in other areas.

Exhibitors have reported PHP20 million in gross sales from the program, which directly connects producers to consumers, who are estimated to have saved approximately PHP4.45 million. "In the evaluation, they (exhibitors) revealed their life-changing experiences with the program. Some of them were able to construct their houses, send their children to school, and bought second-hand cars, while some met buyers ordering from them in sustainable volumes. Some products were exported to other countries," Moya shared.

Moya also mentioned that more groups are interested in joining the Kadiwa program and are currently undergoing assessment. "We make sure they are indeed farmers and fisherfolk. We also ensure the quality of products they wanted to sell," she added.