The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has opened President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) store inside the Clark Freeport, aligning affordable food access with CDC’s broader human‑capital development agenda.
The said Kadiwa marketplace was opened at the Mangan Tamu on January 30, 2026, featuring 16 vendors, farmer cooperatives, and micro‑entrepreneurs offering fresh produce, fruits, and specialty food items.
The initiative forms part of the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo: Buwan‑Buwan, Tuwing Sahod!” payday market, held every 15th and 30th to ease household expenses and strengthen food security among workers.
Employees flocked to the pop‑up site early, many leaving with bags of vegetables, fruits, and pantry staples at significantly reduced prices.
"Malaking tulong ito sa ating mga local vendors at syempre sa ating mga empleyado. Bumili ako ng P20 na bigas, bibigyan ko ang nanay ko, pati na rin ang mga nabili kong sariwang prutas at gulay," said Frances Dimalanta, a nurse from the CDC Health and Sanitation Division.
For HR officer and working mom Katherine Abella, the Kadiwa market delivered real value where it mattered most.
"Malaking tulong po ito sa aming mga on‑a‑budget na mga misis na nagtatrabaho sa CDC, at saka nakakatulong din po tayo sa mga mayroong micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)," she said.
Trade Analyst Paul Relevo called KNP a win‑win program.
"Magandang programa ang Kadiwa ng Pangulo dahil hindi lang ito nakakatulong sa mga empleyado ng CDC, kundi pati na rin sa mga local sellers na mas makakuha ng customers. Mura and bilihin gaya sa palengke," Relevo said.
Farmer cooperative leader Daniel Alfaro underscored the program’s value for producers:
"Dapat malaman ng mamamayan na talaga itong Kadiwa ng Pangulo ay magbibigay sa kanila ng tamang presyo, tamang halaga, tamang pambili. Magsisilbi kami sa mga nangangailangang mamamayan, lalo na sa mga tao ng pamahalaan, na kailangang makabili ng tama at murang halaga ng paninda," Alfaro said.
The KNP marketplace in Clark was first launched in December 2025 through a partnership among CDC, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Labor and Employment, showcasing a whole‑of‑government approach to public welfare.
Beyond the immediate relief provided by the Kadiwa market, CDC is advancing a broader employee-development agenda anchored on education, upskilling, and long-term career mobility.
At the center of this effort is the Scholarship Collaboration for Workers Engaging in Learning Advancement (SCWELA) Program, which CDC first implemented with Angeles City and later expanded through a landmark partnership with Pampanga State University.
Under SCWELA, employees now have access to a full education ladder—from the Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship program for undergraduates to graduate courses such as the Master in Public Administration, MPA–Regulatory Management Systems, and Master in Business Administration.
These pathways are designed to strengthen CDC’s succession pipeline and ensure that future Freeport leaders hold the qualifications and competencies demanded by a globally competitive investment hub. As CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera earlier reminded scholars:
"I value this program, maybe more than you will value it. Because all those who choose to study—even after starting their career—speak of a desire to improve and grow. This will carry you through. Your career in CDC will truly take off when you have the right qualifications," the CDC chief said.
Complementing SCWELA, CDC is accelerating workforce capability through in-house trainings, external certifications, technical courses, and labor education programs.
In 2025, CDC strengthened its commitment to employee development by facilitating 24 in-house training programs that benefited 1,079 employees. To further support skills enhancement and professional growth, the state-owned firm also enabled 217 employees to participate in 124 external trainings and seminars, expanding learning opportunities beyond the organization.
Taken together, these initiatives form a unified strategy—linking economic relief today with stronger professional readiness for tomorrow.
"CDC’s strongest asset is its people. As the Freeport grows, our human capital must scale with its demands. Through Kadiwa ng Pangulo and our continuing education and training programs, we ensure employees are equipped and supported. We will continue investing in their wellbeing — body, mind, and future," Atty. Devanadera said.
