ILOILO CITY: The city government is taking steps to institutionalize its ‘Merkado Local/USWAG Rolling Store’ to ensure its sustainability and its role as a livelihood source for local fishers and farmers.

According to Philippines News Agency, the proposed ‘Ordinance Institutionalizing the Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa (KADIWA) para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita Program in the City of Iloilo’, which is endorsed by Mayor Jerry Tre±as, is currently under deliberation by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council). The primary goal of this ordinance is to guarantee the program’s continuity.

City Agriculturist I±igo Garingalao explained that the program is modeled after the KADIWA initiative of the Department of Agriculture. Its purpose is to ensure the program’s sustainability due to its benefits in nutrition, livelihood, product promotion, and providing marginalized sectors with a venue to market their goods.

Garingalao mentioned that they would seek the support of the Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division to expand the program further.

The Merkado Local is scheduled every third week of the month on Thursday and Friday in front of the Kerr and Company Building. The rolling stores operate at Mandurriao Plaza on Monday, La Paz Plaza on Tuesday and Thursday, Molo Plaza on Wednesday, and Arevalo Plaza on Friday from 7 a.m. to 12 noon. Farmers from the entire Iloilo province are welcome to participate.

Garingalao emphasized that Merkado Local serves a dual purpose: it is not only a marketplace but also a platform for knowledge transfer and sharing.

The Office of the City Agriculturist reported that the Merkado Local and the rolling stores achieved PHP8.95 million in gross sales in 2024.