Malacañang on Monday reaffirmed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to making food more accessible and affordable for Filipinos through the expansion of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, which is set to reach 1,500 stores nationwide by 2028.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro shared the development in a press briefing, following the recent agreement signed between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost).
The partnership aims to significantly scale up the number of Kadiwa stores by using PHLPost’s nationwide network of post offices as operational hubs. Under the deal, the DA will continue supplying safe, affordable, and quality agricultural products, while PHLPost will provide space and logistical support.
“Ibig sabihin, mula sa anim na post office na dati nang nag-host ng Kadiwa pop-up stores, palalawakin na ito sa 67 post office sa Metro Manila at iba pang bahagi ng Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao,” Castro said.
From just six post offices, the initiative will now expand to 67 locations, eventually scaling to more areas across the country in the coming years.
Castro emphasized that this effort not only benefits consumers by giving them access to affordable goods but also helps support postal workers and the surrounding communities.
“Nakikita natin na malaking tulong ito hindi lang sa postal workers kundi sa buong komunidad na nasasakupan ng mga post office,” she added.
The Kadiwa ng Pangulo program is one of the administration’s flagship initiatives to fight inflation, reduce middlemen in the food supply chain, and ensure that farmers and fisherfolk earn more while consumers pay less.