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Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV-CALABARZON, in collaboration with the Department of Energy and Phoenix Gas Station, conducted the KAtuwang sa DIwa at GaWA (KADIWA) ni Ani at Kita Project sa Phoenix, in Brgy. Bukal, Pagbilao, Quezon on September 30, 2020.

The activity is being spearheaded by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division led by Chief Editha Salvosa, which aims to provide communities with fresh, quality, and affordable produce through various farmers’ cooperatives, while realizing the goal of the regional office to provide farmers with an outlet where they can earn more and spend less on transportation costs and intermediary fees.

Mr. Bonifacio Orgas, president of the Samahan sa Industriya ng Cacao Pangkabuhayan (SICAP) Quezon Agriculture Cooperative, shared his gratitude to DA for selecting their organizations as one of the beneficiaries of today’s KADIWA. He said that this is a great opportunity for them, particularly during this pandemic where travel is restricted, to make people know more about their products.

“In the province of Quezon, there are only a few cacao growers and this DA activity serves as free publicity for us and for our products. We will continue to strive harder because of this support from the regional office as we try to climb the ladder of the growing cacao industry in the Philippines,” Mr. Orgas said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Ailyn Llorin of Cortijo de Palsabangon Organic Farm expressed her utmost appreciation to DA CALABARZON KADIWA for inviting their farmers’ group for today’s activity. 

“This is a perfect opportunity for us to have an alternative source of income. This KADIWA will also serve as a free promotion for our farm. In return, we will commit to achieving higher output for customers of our goods and be more persistent,” Ms. Llorin shared.

On the other hand, Mr. Florencio Bacay Sera, president of Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Gulay sa Bayan ng Pagbilao, said that they could easily sell their vegetables directly to consumers with the help of this KADIWA. He added that during this pandemic, this would achieve “sure consumption” of their produce.

“This project would greatly increase our income particularly during this pandemic. Due to the lack of transportation, we had a difficult time transporting our goods, but with KADIWA, we can sell our products without the hassle of dealing with quarantine checkpoints. We can continue to farm flour, that is why we expect to continue this project as well,” Mr. Sera stated.

Assistant Regional Director for Operations Mr. Dennis R. Arpia and Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer for Quezon Mr. Rolando P. Cuasay of DA CALABARZON, graced the event. Joining them were Brgy. Bukal Phoenix gas station owner Ms. Maria Assumpta Z. Ariate and Municipal Agriculture Officer of Pagbilao Ms. Leonora D. Melendrez. 

The conduct of the KADIWA project would coincide with the availability of products from the participating farmers’ associations. ● (MAP, DA-RAFIS)