Local farmers sell produce during the opening day of the two-day Kadiwa ng Pangulo Merkado Lokal in Iloilo City on Aug. 26, 2026. The event generated nearly Php 500,000 in sales, bringing the market’s gross sales since January to about Php 7.4 million, according to City Agriculturist Iñigo Garingalao. Photo courtesy of PNA.
The twice-monthly Kadiwa ng Pangulo Merkado Lokal generated about Php 7.4 million in gross sales from January to August, providing farmers, fisherfolk and small entrepreneurs with a direct venue to sell their products.
Its latest two-day run on Aug. 26 and 27 brought in nearly Php 500,000 in sales as the city marked the third anniversary of the program’s institutionalization.
City Agriculturist Iñigo Garingalao said the initiative had given local producers an additional source of income while gradually expanding beyond its original agricultural focus.
What began five to six years ago as a bazaar for farmers and fisherfolk now also accommodates young entrepreneurs and micro, small and medium enterprises.
The market offers fruits, vegetables and value-added agricultural products while providing space for other city initiatives, including environmental advocacy programs such as tree planting.
Garingalao said the program had also evolved into a venue for sharing knowledge. In July, the Iloilo City Police Office and Central Philippine University joined the activity, with the university providing space for lectures for business and agriculture students.
Participating producers can sell directly to consumers without going through middlemen, allowing them to retain a larger share of their earnings.
The city government provides participating vendors with free selling space and electricity as the twice-monthly market continues to serve local producers and small businesses.