City, DA to enter into Kadiwa program fund agreement

The city council passed resolution no. 734, series of 2023, authorizing Mayor Benjamin Magalong to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-RFO-CAR) represented by its Officer-In-Charge Regional Executive Director Jennilyn Dawayan for the transfer of funds in the amount of P5-Million for the implementation of Kadiwa Ni Ani At Kita (Kadiwa Financial Grant Assistance program) in the Summer Capital.

The approved measure also stated that the agreement shall be submitted to the local legislature for confirmation.

Members of the august body considered a letter dated Sept. 20, 2023, of City Veterinary and Agriculture Office head Silardo Bested requesting authority for the Mayor to enter into the MOA concerning the implementation of the said program.

“The program is in support of improving the distribution system of agricultural produce from farm gate to market, directly linking farmers and fisherfolk to consumers in high-demand and depressed areas, creating an additional market for small farmers and fisherfolk, and providing consumers with agri-fishery products and other basic commodities at affordable prices,” the resolution stated.

The city has signified its intent in seeking the assistance of the DA-RFO-CAR in the construction of Kadiwa store and provision of trading capital for their accredited Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) to enhance their capacities within its jurisdiction to transport agricultural products to markets and enhance its capacity in delivering services to farmers, market linkage programs and serve in preparing food relief and agricultural assistance especially during emergencies.

Baguio is among the forefront cities in agricultural commodity production that is bought and sold to supply the volume requirements in Metro Manila areas and other provinces, the measure disclosed. – Gaby B. Keith