THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday said it was using its Kadiwa bagsakan centers for farmers to bring their produce as the island of Luzon is under an enhanced community quarantine.
“Ang worry nila ngayon where will they bring their produce kasi nga po kung laging nagkakaproblema sa transport, mayroong nadi-discourage na kunin ang produkto,” said DA assistant secretary Kristine Evangelista.
Checkpoints have been placed around entry and exit points in Luzon under the lockdown as public transport has been halted, making the process of delivering produce longer and sometimes difficult.
“Mayroon nang nadi-discourage. Ngayon
po challenge ‘yan,” she told DZMM.
Evangelista said they are coordinating with farmers, fisherfolk and livestock
owners in putting in place the Kadiwa centers.
They are likewise coordinating with local government units to get their agricultural commodity requirements which farmers would supply to them either through the Kadiwa or by directly delivering the goods to them.
“‘Yung idea po mayroon kaming ibinigay na order form. Gaano karaming bigas, gaano karami kailangan nilang anumang agricultural commodity and then we will tell the farmer ito requirement halimbawa ng Quezon City. So the farmer will either bring that produce to the DA bagsakan or to the LGUs,” she said.
The Kadiwa center would ensure that there will be a place for farmers to bring their produce and at the same time assure LGUs of food supply.
LGUs are most welcome to go directly to farmers for orders, she said.
“If they want our help to source out coops that will supply sa lugar nila, puwede rin po namin gawin ‘yun,” she said.
Evangelista said they are just waiting for the LGUs to place their orders so they could coordinate with farmers.
A government-led initiateve, Kadiwa centers are stores that sell produce at affordable prices.
Meanwhile, Evangelista appealed to authorities manning checkpoints to allow the unhampered delivery of agricultural commodities, providing that they have a food pass from the DA or other acceptable documents.
Food passes can be obtained by downloading a form readily available on this page [Hyperlink page: www.agribusiness.da.gov.ph] or through the DA Facebook page.
“Email sa amin then email back namin sa kanila ‘yung food pass, sila na mag-print,” she said.
All of DA’s attached agencies have a unified food pass, she said. Delivery receipts and invoices may also be accepted at checkpoints.
She urged the public to report to the DA any illegal activity so they could immediately address it.(ABS-CBN News)
