To help Filipinos stay within the budget, Quezon City Rep. PM Vargas pushes for the institutionalization of Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Stores at the barangay level, while providing better opportunities to local farmers.

“We have witnessed how these Kadiwa stores effectively help the public buy basic commodities at lower prices compared to those being sold in regular markets. The idea of having these stores permanently is a win-win solution to local suppliers and consumers especially now that prices of goods are on the steady rise,” Vargas said.

The lawmaker has filed various House Bills (HB 5878 to HB 5891) for the establishment of Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Stores in all barangays of District V, Quezon City. He stated that this can also address some of the issues regarding food insecurity among Filipinos.

This will complement Right to Adequate Food Framework Bill, which was earlier prompted by the former QC Rep. Alfred Vargas during the previous congress. Both measures aim to establish a framework that would ensure food availability, stability and security by establishing well-functioning distribution, processing and market systems.

“We intend to bring these rolling stores in respective communities to further lessen the expenses shouldered by the consuming public. Instead of spending for transportation cost, they could use the amount for more food items for the family,” he said.

President Bongbong Marcos, through the Department of Agriculture, revived the Kadiwa program last year after a spike in prices of basic food products due to the pandemic. The president further calls for government support to local farmers and buy goods from them.

“This effort will also result to job generation, increased production of our local farmers, and lesser bottlenecks in our food chain. In time of the fast-approaching Christmas season, these rolling stores will be a very good gift to our constituency,” Vargas said.