The number of Kadiwa centers nationwide has grown from 140 to 170 sites to 800 fully operational locations, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday.
Tiu Laurel made the disclosure in an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on July 18, as part of the DZRH SONA 2026 Series.
He said many of the old Kadiwa sites were pop-up stalls — present one day, gone the next.
“Noong pumasok ako dito sa DA, mga 140 to 170 sites lang ang Kadiwa. At karamihan doon pop-up pa, yung nandiyan minsan, mamaya wala, parang bula,” Tiu Laurel said.
Now, each Kadiwa site operates at least four days a week, he said.
The program directly links farmers to consumers, selling rice, fish, pork, chicken, and other commodities.
“The Kadiwa is the program ng ating Pangulo na nililink yung farmers direct to the consumers,” Tiu Laurel said.
The DA is targeting a minimum of 1,500 sites — nearly double the current 800.
Tiu Laurel said he wants to more than double the current number of Kadiwa sites.
The expansion aims to cut out middlemen and bring farm products directly to Filipino households at lower prices.
