The Department of Agriculture (DA) officially launched the Manggawa Farmers Environmental Development Association (MFEDA) Kadiwa Store and the Western Tabuk Agricultural Cluster (WTAC) Office in New Tanglag, Tabuk City on February 6, 2026, marking a significant step toward strengthening food security and farmer support in the province.
The activity was led by Danilo P. Daguio, CESO IV, Regional Technical Director for Operations, who emphasized that the Kadiwa program promotes transparency in government-funded projects and helps prevent so-called “ghost projects.”
Daguio explained that the government wants the public to clearly see that funds are being allocated to legitimate associations and qualified beneficiaries. To ensure credibility, associations benefiting from the program must be duly registered and compliant with all requirements.
The Kadiwa Store revives a program first introduced during the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., which aimed to provide a direct market for locally produced goods. Through the program, farmers and producers can sell fresh and processed products directly to consumers without middlemen, allowing goods to be sold at lower and fairer prices.
“The primary goal of the Kadiwa Store is food security, to ensure that no one goes hungry,” Daguio said. He explained that while the program was discontinued in past administrations, it was revived under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with improvements and stronger institutional support from the Department of Agriculture.
To sustain Kadiwa operations, the DA now provides special financial assistance to qualified associations. Daguio also encouraged MFEDA members to maximize the strategic location of the New Tanglag Kadiwa Store along the highway by consistently offering fresh and processed local products to ensure its long-term viability.
Also launched was the Western Tabuk Agricultural Cluster Office, which forms part of the DA’s Clustering and Consolidation Program. The initiative groups nearby associations producing similar commodities into clusters to ensure that government-funded projects are fully utilized and benefit a wider number of farmers.
Instead of allocating large projects to a single association with limited membership, clustering allows several organizations to share resources, maximizing the impact of government investments.
The Western Tabuk Agricultural Cluster includes organizations from the barangays of New Tanglag, Gobgob, Cabaritan, Tuga, Lanna, and Masablang, with six associations currently part of the cluster. Other qualified associations may still join upon meeting the program’s requirements.
The DA reiterated its commitment to supporting agricultural clusters to promote inclusive growth, efficient use of public funds, and sustainable development for farming communities in Cordillera.// Jovelyn U. Valenciano
DA-CAR Press Release No. 26-09