Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
20th Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  2730
Introduced by REP. DIBU S. TUAN 
AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF KADIWA CENTERS AS AGRI-FOOD TERMINALS IN THE 
THIRD DISTRICT OF SOUTH COTABATO AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
     Article XIII, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution provides that ‘’the State shall recognize the rights of 
farmers, farmworkers, landowners, as well as cooperatives, and other independent farmers’ organizations 
to participate in the planning, organization and management of agriculture programs and shall provide 
support to agriculture through appropriate technology and research, adequate financial, production, 
marketing and other support services.’’ 
     In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdowns, a number of agri-fishery food 
suppliers served as one of our commendable frontliners who ensured that food is made available and 
accessible to every household across the country.  Through their efforts, consumers have availed of 
essential food and products right at the premises of their homes. 
     Amid the rising prices and cost of food, the scaling up of innovative solutions cannot be over-
emphasized.  One of the successful initiatives is the establishment of ‘’kadiwa centers.’’  The Kadiwa ni Ani 
at Kita Program is the agribusiness and marketing initiative of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to help 
link local farmers and fisherfolks directly to consumers. 
     The Kadiwa initiative, which began in 2019, allows farmers to directly access consumers without going 
through a multi-layer marketing structure by building Kadiwa food terminals/storefronts in cities around 
the nation, allowing farmers to sell their produce at a higher profit margin.    The program was even 
heightened during the start of the lockdown when the logistics of goods were hampered.  It operates in 
four modes, namely Kadiwa Retail or Direct Selling which establishes physical retail stores to accommodate 
farmers’ produce for sale to customers especially in densely-populated areas; Kadiwa on Wheels which 
brings agri-fishery products to barangays and villages through rolling stores in vehicles; Kadiwa sa 
Pamahalaan in DA offices; and, Kadiwa in malls.  Recently, the program also launched its Enhanced Kadiwa 
ni Ani at Kita where it capacitates farmers/fisherfolks organizations to become reliable food commodity 
suppliers to consumers and for community-based organizations to sustainably operate the Kadiwa retail 
stores.  They were granted working capital to sustain their operations. 
     In April 2021, the DA reported that 41,357 farmers have benefitted from its Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita 
Program.  It was also able to generate Php7.241 billion in sales and served nearly 4 million households in 
areas where it was rolled out. 
July 30, 2025
5:56 pm


     Considering the gains of the Kadiwa Program as effective agri-food terminals very close and accessible 
to our consumers, this measure aims to scale up the said food terminal model and effectively promote the 
growth of the local agricultural markets.  If successfully rolled out in every city and municipality, these agri-
food terminals and centers will serve as a  place where local farmers and fisherfolks can sell their produced 
goods directly to the consumers and the general market.  Prices in Kadiwa are lower by 10-20 percent 
since bringing the products won’t entail high transportation costs. 
     In line with the clear direction of the current administration to prioritize helping our agriculture and 
fisheries workers to make food products affordable, it is clear how scaling up the Kadiwa initiative in many 
regions across the country can be a concrete and immediate intervention to the food crisis that we face. 
     In view of the foregoing, the expeditious consideration and approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
  REP. DIBU S. TUAN 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
20th Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2730 
Introduced by REP. DIBU S. TUAN 
AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF KADIWA CENTERS AS AGRI-FOOD TERMINALS IN THE 
THIRD DISTRICT OF SOUTH COTABATO AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
     SECTION1. Short Title  This Act shall be known as the Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal of the Third District of 
South Cotabato Act. 
     SECTION 2.  Declaration of Policy.  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to assist our farmers and 
fisherfolks by providing them a venue to market and trade their produce and give them access to buyers 
at affordable prices.  Toward this end, instituting a program for the creation of a nationwide system of 
agricultural and fisheries food terminals is hereby established.  The goal of these agri-trading centers is to 
provide an avenue where farmers and fisherfolks can directly sell their products to consumers and food 
suppliers.  Moreover, this endeavors  for higher mobility for locally-produced agricultural products   to the 
whole country at a cheaper cost of transportation. 
     SECTION 3.  Establishment of Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminals.  The Department of Agriculture (DA), in close 
coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs), shall establish and manage Agri-Food Terminals in 
the Third District of South Cotabato.  The mandatory establishment of these Agri-Food Terminals by the 
aforementioned LGUs shall select among the following modes: 
a)
Kadiwa Retail or Direct Selling – establishing physical food terminals to accommodate
farmers and fisherfolks’ products for sale to customers and food suppliers;
b)
Kadiwa on Wheels – using rolling stores in vehicles to bring agri-fishery products to
barangays and villages;
c)
Kadiwa sa Pamahalaan – establishing trading centers within the proximity of the
government’s property/office through partnership with the DA or other government
agencies within the LGU.
     SECTION 4.  Kadiwa Food Terminal Plan – in line with this Act, the DA shall develop the following: 
a)
Comprehensive plan of rolling out the program in every city and municipality;
b)
Outlined process and mutual assistance between the DA, LGUs, and other concerned
government agencies and the private sector;
c)
Schedule of short-term, medium-term, and long-term targets on research and
development, marketing, trade promotion/initiatives, capacity-building, among
others.


     SECTION 5.  Appropriations – the amount of Twenty Five (P25,000,000,000.00) Billion Pesos is hereby 
appropriated for the initial year of implementation of this Act.  Thereafter, the amount of Ten Billion 
(P10,000,000,000.00) Pesos shall be included in the budget of the DA for implementation and continued 
expansion of this program.  In addition, the establishment and operation  of food terminals will be made 
with the available participatory funding from the national government with adequate equity from the 
LGUs. 
 
     SECTION 6.  Implementing Rules and Regulations.  Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this 
Act, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, in consultation 
with appropriate government agencies and other stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary Rules and 
Regulations to implement this Act.  The Implementing Rules and Regulations shall include a template to 
guide the Third District of South Cotabato in the establishment of their own Agri-Food Terminals and 
Trading Centers. 
 
     SECTION 7.  Separability Clause.  If any provision of this Act, or parts thereof, is declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other portions. 
 
     SECTION 8.  Repealing Clause.  All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, and implementing rules 
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
     SECTION 9.  Effectivity.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
     Approved.