ILOILO City – The city government is moving to secure a long-term marketplace for local farmers and fishers by institutionalizing its “Merkado Local/USWAG Rolling Store” through a proposed ordinance.
Endorsed by Mayor Jerry Treñas and now under deliberation in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the measure seeks to formalize the city’s version of the Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa (KADIWA) program.
This initiative, originally modeled after the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) KADIWA system, provides small-scale producers with a direct platform to sell their goods without the burden of middlemen.
City Agriculturist Iñigo Garingalao underscored the broader purpose of the program beyond just sales, saying, “One function of Merkado Local is not only a venue for selling. It is also a venue for knowledge transfer and sharing.”
As the city seeks to make the program permanent, discussions are underway to secure support from the DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division to further expand operations.
Currently, Merkado Local is held every third Thursday and Friday of the month at the Kerr and Company Building, while the USWAG Rolling Store rotates through various district plazas on weekdays.
The initiative has already demonstrated its viability, generating PHP8.95 million in gross sales in 2024 alone.
But beyond revenue, the city envisions the program as a lasting solution for local producers struggling with market access, ensuring their economic stability while also improving food security for residents.
By solidifying this initiative through legislation, Iloilo City aims to transform what began as a temporary market solution into a lasting economic pillar for its agricultural and fishing communities./PN
