DA, PHLPost partner to increase Kadiwa stores

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand the KADIWA ng Pangulo program network across the country.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Postmaster General and PHLPost Chief Executive Officer Luis Carlos on Thursday formalized the agreement, which Laurel called “a testament to the power of cooperation.”

"This reminds us that when institutions come together with a shared purpose, they can break barriers and create meaningful change," he said.

Under the agreement, the DA, through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, will provide technical and administrative support for the operation, establishment, and monitoring of Kadiwa stores. It will also ensure that agricultural commodities sold meet food safety standards and logistics, and that store operations do not interfere with PHLPost’s core functions.

Meanwhile, PHLPost will provide spaces in identified post offices for KADIWA stores and assist in the promotion and marketing of the program.  

PHLPost has 1,100 post offices across the country. Under the partnership, PHLPost aims to open 67 Kadiwa stores in its offices this year.

The DA aims to open 1,500 Kadiwa stores nationwide by 2028.

The KADIWA ng Pangulo program is a government marketing initiative to provide consumers with high-quality yet affordable food sourced directly from small farmers and fisherfolk.