ILOILO – To address consumers’ complaint on the soaring prices of prime commodities, a Kadiwa store would be officially opened today in Barangay Aganan, Pavia, Iloilo.
Sen. Imee Marcos is leading the inauguration. She has pushed for the revival of the Kadiwa store system across the country which was originally introduced by her father, the late president Ferdinand Marcos, to bring down the prices of consumer goods.
“Makabibili po ang mga kababayan nating Ilonggo ng bagsak presyong mga pangunahing bilihin sa Kadiwa store. Malaking tulong po ang matitipid nilang halaga para sa ibang gastusin ng pamilya,” said Marcos.
Assisting the senator in the Kadiwa store opening – the first in Iloilo province – are former Pavia vice mayor Raymund Gumban and Sangguniang Bayan member Gyzzyn Gumban.
The Kadiwa store system would enable the public to buy goods at cheaper rates such as rice, sugar, coffee, noodles, cooking oil, canned goods, and laundry soaps.
During the Marcos administration, the Kadiwa store system also enabled farmers to sell their crops without having to worry about transportation costs, and also eliminated middle men who forced prices up.
Senator Marcos said she is working out with Kadiwa partner Puregold to also make available in the store other consumer goods.
Although the country’s inflation rate has gone down, particularly that of rice in the market, Marcos said the cost of other basic goods like meat, sugar, and various vegetables remain high, affecting the quality of nutrition especially of children in lower-income families.
“It’s a big deal for the country’s poor, especially those in depressed areas, because about 60 percent to 70 percent of their budget goes to food,” the senator explained.
To prevent hoarders or middlemen from negating the purpose of Kadiwa stores, Marcos said the government should acquire supplies directly from farmers, fishermen, hog and poultry raisers, and manufacturers./PN
