The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reaffirmed its commitment to combating hunger through the Walang Gutom Program (WGP), formerly the agency’s Food Stamp Program, following the results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey which showed an increase in hunger incidence among Filipino families.
“We recognize the growing challenge of food insecurity, and the latest survey reinforces the urgency of enhancing and further expanding the government’s WGP,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the DSWD’s spokesperson, said on Sunday (March 30).
The SWS survey conducted last March 15-20 showed that 27.2 percent of Filipino families nationwide experienced involuntary hunger, at least once in the past three months.
The DSWD is currently serving 300,000 food-poor households — equivalent to 1.5 million individuals — across the country by providing them with Php3,000 monthly as food aid.
“As always emphasized by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, fighting hunger maybe difficult but it is doable. This is why we continue to intensify our Walang Gutom Program and other anti-hunger initiatives in partnership with other government agencies,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
As the DSWD continues to scale up its hunger alleviation efforts, Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the agency aims to enroll more beneficiaries across the country, focusing on areas where hunger remains a critical issue.
“By 2027, the agency targets to assist 750,000 food-poor families, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a hunger-free Philippines,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The DSWD spokesperson said the Walang Gutom Kitchen, located in Pasay City, continues its operation to serve hot free meals to more families, individuals, and children in street situations.
The Walang Gutom Kitchen is the latest innovation of the DSWD aimed at addressing involuntary hunger and reducing food wastage by turning donated surplus food from hotels, restaurants, and organizations into hot meals for individuals experiencing hunger.
“Based on the latest survey, the hunger rate in Metro Manila, where the WGP was first piloted and the Walang Gutom Kitchen is being implemented, did not increase. This is somehow a reflection that, slowly, these two DSWD-hunger led efforts are on the right track,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
Beyond direct food assistance, the DSWD is also amplifying its advocacy efforts to improve public nutrition through innovative programs like the WGP Kusinero Cook-Off Challenge.
The culinary challenge, launched in February, encourages families to create nutritious meals using the food items available under the WGP food redemption activities.
The competition promotes creativity in meal preparation while educating beneficiaries on the importance of nutrition and healthy eating habits.
“These initiatives complement the WGP by ensuring that families not only have access to food but also understand how to make the most of their resources to maintain a healthy diet,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
According to Asst. Secretary Dumlao, through a combination of food assistance and nutrition education, coupled with the cooperation with other agencies and the private sector, the agency continues to work toward a hunger-free and healthier Philippines.
The WGP provides eligible families with electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards loaded with ₱3,000 in monthly food credits. These can be used to purchase nutritious food items from accredited retailers, ensuring that vulnerable households have access to adequate and healthy meals. (YADP)
