A party-list group has introduced legislation in support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s plan to establish permanent Kadiwa stores throughout the country.

According to AGRI Partylist Rep. Wilbert Lee, expanding the Kadiwa initiative would be a concrete and immediate response to a food crisis while also eliminating the need for farmers and fishermen to approach unscrupulous middlemen.

During an interview on March 8, Marcos announced his intention to open more Kadiwa centers.

In support of the president's plan, Lee urged Congress to pass House Bill No. 3957, also known as the Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Bill.

The bill seeks to institutionalize the program by establishing a PHP 25-billion fund for the Department of Agriculture to establish and manage Kadiwa terminals in each LGU.

He urged local governments to begin coordinating with relevant national agencies on how to put the president's plan into action as soon as possible.