Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is eyeing legislation to institutionalize the Kadiwa program, a government-run retail system designed to connect farmers directly with consumers, in a bid to reduce food prices and curb inflation.
Lacson said his proposal would eliminate middlemen, a major driver of high agricultural costs, and allow local government units (LGUs) to intervene directly in the supply chain.
“Nais kong pag-aralan kung papaano ma-institutionalize ang Kadiwa, ‘yung mga stores, by way of legislation nang sa ganon ma-eliminate ‘yung pagkarami-raming middlemen kasi direkta na ito sa tulong ng [LGUs] na rin,” Lacson said in a press conference in Iloilo City, the second leg of Alyansa’s regional kickoff series.
Alyansa is a 12-member Senate slate backed by the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., running under the banner “Bagong Pilipinas.”
Aside from Lacson, Alyansa is composed of former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Lito Lapid, Senator Imee Marcos, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino, ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.
The Kadiwa program, originally introduced during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was designed to stabilize food prices by directly linking farmers and fisherfolk to consumers, bypassing traders who manipulate prices.
The initiative faded over the years but was revived and expanded under President Marcos Jr. as part of his administration’s efforts to combat inflation and support the agricultural sector.
Lacson pointed out that some LGUs have already adopted the Kadiwa program, proving that government-backed farm-to-market interventions can be both feasible and effective in reducing costs.
“Ito’y napa-practice na sa ibang probinsya na kung saan nakikialam na ang [LGUs], nag-i-intervene, na ‘yung mga produce ng mga farmers ay sila rin ang bumibili at dini-distribute sa mga Kadiwa stores, nang sa gayon, ‘pag nawala ‘yong mga middlemen, malaki ang baba ng presyo,” he explained.
Although Kadiwa stores have largely been temporary measures, Lacson underscored the need for a national law that would make them a permanent fixture in the country’s economic framework.
“So, sa halip na ito’y temporary lamang, maganda ng ma-institutionalize by way of legislation para matulungan natin hindi lamang ang ating mga magsasaka kundi ‘yung mga pangkaraniwang mamimili,” Lacson pointed out.
Lacson’s push for a permanent Kadiwa system aligns with Alyansa’s broader mission to reduce the cost of living and strengthen food security, ensuring that both consumers and farmers benefit from direct market access without price manipulation.
Also, Senatorial candidates from the ABPsaid they would champion measures that would strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which remain the backbone of the Philippine economy.
Former senator Manny Pacquiao emphasized during a press conference on Thursday the critical role of MSMEs in the country’s economic recovery, thus it’s important to equip them with help that would allow them to grow.
“Dito sa bansa natin, 99 percent ang small, medium enterprises at kung hindi natin ‘yan sila tutulungan, hindi natin palalakasin ‘yan, imposible na maka-recover agad tayo,” Pacquiao said, as he promised to secure additional funding for the sector.
ACT-CIS Partylist Representative Erwin Tulfo proposed to expand the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), particularly for impoverished communities and unemployed individuals. The program targets beneficiaries that graduate from the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Tulfo emphasized that under the DSWD program, beneficiaries must first undergo Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training before receiving DSWD funding. “Kailangan mo munang mag-undergo ng training sa TESDA kung anong klaseng negosyo o pagpapatakbo ng negosyo,” he explained.
The lawmaker also highlighted the program’s focus on the formation of cooperatives, saying successful community businesses could receive additional support. “Kapag lumago ang negosyong ‘yon may additional po after three or five years, may additional kalahating milyon na ibibigay muli ang DSWD,” Tulfo said.
Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson reinforced his colleagues’ stance.
“Kapag hindi natin tinulungan at pinalakas ‘yong MSMEs natin marami pong maaapektuhan,” as he pushed for improved access to funding through lending institutions.
The candidates’ MSME agenda resonates particularly in Iloilo, which is primarily an agricultural economy with wholesale and retail trade, forestry and fishing industries.
Meanwhile, the local government under Mayor Jerry Treñas has been working to institutionalize the “Merkado Local/USWAG Rolling Store” via an ordinance establishing the Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa (KADIWA) program, which aligns with the Department of Agriculture’s initiative to support local producers and ensure food security.
