INQUIRER PHOTO
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) have teamed up to put up 61 more Kadiwa pop-up stores nationwide this year to make affordable agricultural products more accessible to consumers.
The DA and PHLPost earlier signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize their multiyear undertaking of rolling out Kadiwa stores in at least 800 post offices until 2028.
READ: DA eyeing Kadiwa outlets in Metro Manila public, private markets
PHLPost Postmaster General Luis Carlos said they committed to opening the additional 61 pop-up stores in northwest Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
鈥淲e鈥檙e putting up one in the Manila Central Post Office. There will be six offices in the National Capital Region, including one in Pasay, one in Para帽aque, and one in Quezon City,鈥� Carlos said. He added that a Kadiwa store may be opened as long as there is a good delivery or logistics site.
These are on top of six Kadiwa stores hosted by PHLPost last year in Pasay City, San Fernando, Pampanga; Mariveles, Bataan; Tarlac; and Olongapo City.
Food security
Under the agreement, the DA鈥檚 Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service will provide technical and administrative support for the operation, establishment and monitoring of Kadiwa stores.
The DA will also ensure that agricultural commodities sold at these stores meet food safety standards while logistics such as delivery and storage are well managed. It will likewise guarantee that store operations do not interfere with PHLPost鈥檚 core functions.
For its part, PHLPost has committed to providing physical spaces in identified post offices and assisting in promoting and marketing the program. It will also provide suppliers with essential equipment to ensure smooth operations, including tables, chairs and tents.
PHLPost currently boasts a network of 1,100 post offices across the country, which could accommodate Kadiwa stores and centers in the coming years. INQ