CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga (PIA) — More than 150,000 workers in Clark can now stretch their budget as the government launched the Kadiwa ng Pangulo center, offering P20-per-kilo rice and other affordable food items.
Dubbed “Pamaskong Handog sa Manggagawa: Pagkain, Kabuhayan, at Pagkakaisa sa Clark Freeport Zone”, the initiative, held on December 1, is a collaboration between the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Clark Development Corporation (CDC).
It forms part of the administration’s continuing efforts under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to make basic commodities more accessible and affordable, in line with his push for food security and programs that ease the burden on minimum wage earners and other vulnerable groups.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., CDC President and CEO Agnes Devanadera, CDC Chairperson Edgardo Pamintuan, and DOLE Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio, led the launch of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlet and the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program.
Secretary Tiu Laurel expressed gratitude to CDC and DOLE for turning the program into reality.
“Because of our partnerships, we are able to offer programs that improve the lives of our communities. Patuloy nating palakasin ang ating pagtutulungan para sa isang masagana, makatarungan, at tapat na kinabukasan para sa ating magsasaka, manggagawa, at buong sambayahang Pilipino (Let us continue to strengthen our cooperation for a prosperous, just, and honest future for our farmers, workers, and the entire Filipino community),” he said.
He also shared that the program is set to run until June 30, 2028.
CDC President and CEO Devanadera commended the DA and emphasized that the program fulfills a long-standing wish for Clark Freeport Zone workers.
“This is going to be a real program. Ang nais natin ay ‘yung nagsasampa ng revenues para sa Pilipinas ay tinutulungan natin. Kaya marami pang mga programang ganito para maalagaan natin ang ka-manggagawa natin (What we want is to help those who generate revenue for the Philippines. That is why we continue to create programs like this to take care of our fellow workers),” she said.
Supporting this, CDC Chairperson Pamintuan described the initiative as exemplary, delivering affordable yet quality goods alongside accessible government services directly to beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, DOLE Regional Director Panlilio reaffirmed the agency’s full support for the program, calling it an early Christmas gift to workers in Clark.
“Ito po ay isa sa tunay na gustong makamtan ng Department na lahat ng manggagawa, kasama ang mga namumuhunan, ay nagkakaisa (This is one of the Department’s true aspirations, that all workers, together with employers, stand united),” Panlilio said.
This whole-of-government initiative underscores the shared commitment of different agencies to provide assistance to workers, and strengthen community support through accessible and sustainable market interventions. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
