The Negros Occidental provincial government is granting a PHP2.5-million marketing fund to an accredited non-government organization (NGO) to consolidate the operation of the “Negrense: Kadiwa” center.

Governor Eugenio Lacson said the Multi-Sectoral Alliance for the Development (MUAD), which has experience in consolidation and marketing, has been identified to operate the Kadiwa project.

“They will receive PHP2.5 million as marketing fund. The memorandum of agreement is currently being reviewed and (it) will soon be ready for turn-over,” Lacson said in a report he delivered as part of his State of the Province Address on Tuesday afternoon.

He said the province opted to let an NGO operate the “Negrense: Kadiwa” because the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) wants to sustain the initiative.

On April 1, the provincial government and the Department of Agriculture (DA) opened the “Negrense-Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita” store at the Negros Food Terminal Market here while the province was under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“This project was rolled-out also in collaboration with other local government units to make agriculture commodities available at affordable prices,” Lacson said.

Records showed that from April 1 to June 22, the “Negrense: Kadiwa” generated total sales of PHP2.751 million after catering to more than 3,000 consumers.

Also, 467 farmers and fisherfolk suppliers as well as 15 consolidators were linked and 20 personnel generated employment from the initiative.

Jose Albert Barrogo, chief of the DA-Western Visayas Regional Agricultural Engineering Division, lauded the partnership of the provincial government with the MUAD.

He said the concept of “Negrense: Kadiwa” opens huge opportunities to both the public and private sectors, and is harmonized with the DA’s “new thinking”.

“To further move and sustain the initiative, the decision of the provincial government in tapping and making partnership with NGOs is a right move. We applaud and welcome the MUAD in the ‘partnershop’ of Negros Occidental and DA in sustaining the ‘Negrense: Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita’,” Barrogo added.

“Negrense: Kadiwa” receives orders through text and Facebook Messenger for pick-up. For delivery, customers can place orders with its rider partners from Grab, Tinderoo, Juan Ride, Maid in Bacolod, Maxim, and Tapao.ph. (PNA)