Three local government units (LGUs) in the Caraga Region received a combined PHP13 million in KADIWA financial grants from the Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) to improve facilities and transportation of farm products.

The recipients are the municipalities of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur and Malimono in Surigao del Norte, and the provincial government of Agusan del Norte.

“Regional Executive Director Ricardo Oñate Jr. handed over the checks to the recipient LGUs on Thursday in a ceremony held in Butuan City,” DA-13 said in a statement Friday.

Prosperidad received PHP5 million to rehabilitate facilities at the town’s KADIWA Center and procure equipment and a hauling vehicle.

Malimono also received PHP5 million to procure a hauling truck and refrigerated van to support the consolidation and retail operations of its KADIWA Center.

The provincial government of Agusan del Norte received PHP3 million to acquire a multipurpose vehicle that will be used to haul farm products from farmers’ cooperatives and associations in different towns under its KADIWA ng Pangulo program.

“The KADIWA Financial Grant is being implemented under the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of the agency,” DA-13 said.

The agency said the program aims to provide financial assistance to LGUs to directly connect food producers with consumers, helping strengthen food supply and security as the region faces the threat of El Niño. (PNA)