The Department of Agricullture Bicol thru the Agribusiness and Marketing Division rolled out a mobile Kadiwa community pantry to Indigenous People in barangay San Nicholas Iriga City and Barangay Cayaoyao ,Tigaon Camarines Sur on May 6 and 10, 2021.
In coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), the activity was initiated to reach out to marginalized group who are in dire need of assistance during this time of difficulty. The DA Kadiwa Community Pantry is inspired by the Filipino values of sharing and Bayanihan.
At least 150 residents of Bgy San Nicholas in Iriga City benefitted from the said pantry. Most of the residents belong to the Indigenous group. Despite heavy rains, residents queued to avail of their most needed commodities. Among the commodities distributed were rice, vegetables, eggs, fruits and other agricultural products. “When it rains, it really pours “said 37 years old Lailani Guevarra. The last time I recalled was the typhoon relief distributed to us last year she added. She said that the goods from the DA-5 Kadiwa Community pantry will last for 2 days and it means a lot to them. The local Government Unit of Iriga city with officials from the Agriculture office assisted in the activity to ensure that safety protocols are being observed.
In a separate venue, 172 residents can’t hide their delight upon receiving essential commodities during the roll out of the kadiwa community pantry in Barangay Cayaoyao, Tigaon Camarines Sur. Most of the beneficiaries belong to the “Agta” tribe.
Tribe Chieftain Rico Flogo gladly extended his gratefulness to the DA. “Nararamdaman namin na hindi kami pinapabayaan ng ahensya lalo na sa ganitong panahon ng maraming pagsubok. Nung una, binigyan kami ng irrigasyon ng DA at malaking tulong yun sa amin lalo na sa aming pagtatanim. Ngayon naman itong mga pagkain na galing sa Kadiwa Community Pantry ay makakatawid sa gutom ang aking mg ka tribu kahit sa ilang araw, (We feel that we are cared for by the Department by way of extending support to us) “he narrated. Children were also given assorted candies to cheer them up. Some officials from the Local Government Unit of Tigaon Camarines Sur were also present during the activity.
According to Ma Cristina Campita Supervising Agriculturist, the commodities were donated by private individuals, government officials , various organizations/Cooperatives such as: San Agustin San Ramon Farmers Cooperative; Magarao Multi Purpose Cooperative; San Antonio Farmers Irrigators MPC; Department of Agriculture Employees Association (DAEA); Agri Pinoy Trading Center (APTC); Talino at Galing ng Pinoy Partylist; Capuy Basud; Bula Farmers Association; Nabua West MPC; Tau Gamma Phi; Cam. Norte Primary MPC; and BYC Egg Dealer. (B. Nunez; photos: Ramon Adversario Jr.)