The City Government of Valenzuela led by Mayor WES Gatchalian, together with the Department of Agriculture (DA) represented by Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista formally officiated the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Kadiwa Store of the Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan ng Valenzuela (AMVA) Multipurpose Cooperative in Barangay Ugong, May 9, 2023.

The Kadiwa Store of the AMVA Multipurpose Cooperative was made possible by the PhP 1,000,000 financial assistance granted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program to qualified Community-Based Organizations (CBO) like Non-Government Organizations, Cooperatives, Associations, Corporations, People’s Organizations, or Homeowners Associations that can operate the Kadiwa retail store. The said financial grant is to be used in the establishment of Kadiwa Stores in strategic locations, procurement of marketing equipment, and as a capital for the initial inventory of the Kadiwa Store.

The Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program is a direct marketing program of DA where producers are directly linked with the consuming public, making food, and other goods at reasonable prices to consumers through the accessible Kadiwa retail stores in strategic locations.

AMVA is one of the few organizations in Valenzuela City which was lucky to be granted with the PhP 1,000,000 financial grant. It was given last March 13, 2023, which gave the organization approximately two months to establish the retail store. The AMVA Kadiwa Store offers different goods like vegetables and kitchen supplies at cheaper retail prices and gives rebates for members of AMVA Multipurpose Cooperative. 

With the success of the first Kadiwa Store in the City, the City Government of Valenzuela and the Department of Agriculture encourage different organizations in the city to apply for the Kadiwa program to further improve the livelihood of the Pamilyang Valenzuelano. 

Also present during the ceremony were Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, Councilor Niña Lopez, Housing and Resettlement Office Head Ms. Elenita Reyes, Local Economic Development and Investments Promotions Office Head Ms. Annaliza Vitug, Public Employment Services Office and Cooperative Development Office Head Ms. Josephine Osea, and Barangay Ugong Punong Barangay Ed Nazar and Barangay Council.

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