Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<div style="text-align:left"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177693688028720240514-tinoc-bontoc-farming-MD--9.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Farmers harvest carrots in Brgy. Gumhang in Tinoc, Ifugao on May 14, 2024. The farmers say that some areas have lower quality yield of crops due to the low water supply for irrigation. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday launched its partnership with non-government organization Rural Rising Philippines, which conducts rescue buys to help farmers in the provinces sell their produce amid rising transport costs.DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said it was like hitting two birds with one stone because the agency would be able to stock up its soup kitchen, the Walang Gutom Kitchen in Pasay City, with a regular supply of vegetables and fruits, while also supporting the agriculture sector.“Ang naging arrangement namin sa Rural Rising, dahil bumibili din ng mga produkto ang DSWD, lalo na itong kitchen na ‘to, sa kanila na namin bibilhin… Kaysa itapon ng mga magsasaka yung gulay, kasi minsan binabarat sila ng mga middlemen,” said Gatchalian.Moving forward, Rural Rising Philippines co-founder Andie Estrada said she hopes they can also work together with other government agencies in buying produce directly from farmers and at the right price.“I’m sure hindi ito magtatapos dito. Sabi ko nga, kung mapa-partneran natin ang DOH (Department of Health), DepEd (Department of Education) para may mapakain sa mga bata— yung magkaroon ng channel yung ating mga produkto from the farms to go where it is needed,” said Estrada.She said Filipino farmers have long struggled with oversupply and logistics issues during harvest season, but noted how the energy crisis has exacerbated the situation.“We do feel this is a second pandemic. Ang mga farmer, minsan, hindi sila nakaka-tiyempo ng biyahe, hindi na sila nag-aani. Or sometimes pino-pool nila o iipunin ang schedule ng harvest… nabubulok, pagdating sa merkado. Kaya broken na broken ang system natin ngayon,” she said.Gatchalian invited public transport utility drivers, who are also affected by high pump prices, to visit the food bank to get free meals.During the event, dozens of jeepney drivers dropped by the soup kitchen and also got to take home an extra pack of fresh vegetables.“All they have to do is pumunta rito. Nag-ooperate ito araw-araw, 365 days a year, pati holidays, mula 6am hanggang 3 p.m.,” said Gatchalian.Among those who came by was jeepney driver and operator Roger Cais.He shared that because jeepney drivers’ earnings are dwindling, many choose to not eat anymore during the day so they can bring home more cash to their families.“Yung iba tinitiis na lang na di na kakain sa biyahe...Binibili na lang namin ng bigas sa bahay para yun ang pagsasaluhan ng buong pamilya,” he said.The DSWD said it is targeting to open more soup kitchens in Cebu and Zamboanga soon to be able to feed more people in need.

Rural Rising Philippines is an NGO that conducts rescue buys to help farmers in the provinces sell their produce amid rising transport costs.

Rural Rising Philippines is an NGO that conducts rescue buys to help farmers in the provinces sell their produce amid rising transport costs.

DSWD partners with Rural Rising PH to help farmers sell their produce amid elevated transport costs

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DSWD partners with Rural Rising PH to help farmers sell their produce amid elevated transport costs

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 23, 2026 05:36 PM PHT

Read More:

DSWD

Walang Gutom Kitchen

Rural Rising Philippines

vegetable rescue buys

fuel crisis

jeepney drivers

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