Walang Gutom Program Regional Coordinator Ledie Mariz Tan (in red) assisting in the distribution of pre-ordered food packages during the recent redemption in Central Visayas. (DSWD-7 photo)
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — A total of 26,195 household beneficiaries will redeem new food commodities through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 in Central Visayas.
Of the total, 15,761 or the majority of the target beneficiaries are those poor residing in the 24 municipalities and cities in Negros Oriental, while 10,434 are residents of 47 towns and cities in Cebu province.
This is under the “Walang Gutom” program to address involuntary hunger by providing beneficiaries with food through the Food Redemption system.
DSWD-7 has partnered with retailers for the Walang Gutom Program (WGP) in the food redemption for Period 12, which started on Jan. 13 and ended on Jan. 22.
DSWD 7 regional director Shalaine Lucero emphasized the importance of collaboration with the other retailers as it “paves the way” for a more effective and far-reaching WGP.
“It increases access to program benefits for beneficiaries through retail partners providing safe and quality food packages,” Lucero said.
The beneficiaries can redeem their pre-order food package worth P3,000 using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at the partner retailers in their respective municipalities and cities.
Some beneficiaries can also redeem their goods through mobile stores at specific venues identified by the local government units (LGUs).
Edgardo Salboro, farmer, 75, from sitio Andolay, Brgy. Siit, Siaton town, is thankful for the program as it helped his family during difficult times.
“Nagpasalamat kaayo ko niini nga programa, makatabang-tabang sa atong panginabuhi. Nalipay man pod ta aning gi-suportahan ta. Makatabang sa adlaw-adlaw na magamit man pod ni. Ikaupat na ni nako nga dawat.”
(I am grateful for this program because it is helpful in my day-to-day life. I am happy for the support we received through this program. This is very useful in my daily needs. This is the 4th time I received food assistance.)
Construction worker Concordio Palalon, 58, said the financial aid is a big help, as his work is seasonal.
“Nagpasalamat gyud kaayo ko og dako nga na naentra ko ani, dako kaayo akong pasalamat kay sa akong kinabuhi, lisod gyud kaayo kay extra extra ra ni akong trabaho.”
(I am so grateful that I have been included in this program because I have no permanent employment.)
For this period, there are 37 partner stores in Cebu, and 47 in Negros Oriental.
Each EBT card contains P3,000 in food credits from DSWD-WGP to redeem food commodities, with 50 percent (P1,500) allocated to carbohydrates, 30 percent (P900) for proteins, and 20 percent (P600) for fruits and vegetables.
The food redemption of Period 12 has doubled the target beneficiaries compared to the Period 11 redemption, which only had a target of 13,170 household beneficiaries.
The increase in the number of beneficiaries is part of the program expansion, which started in July 2024.
DSWD Walang Gutom Program is consistent with its objective to decrease involuntary hunger and malnutrition experienced by low-income households while helping them become productive citizens of the country. (HFG/PIA7 with a report from DSWD 7)
