Beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom 2027 program ceremoniously wave their cards. (Photo: DSWD)
In the slum of Tondo, Manila, a mother of eight named Maricris Novelas had long resigned herself to the gripping realities of poverty and hunger.
With her husband incarcerated and her job lost in a devastating fire, Maricris found herself alone, struggling to provide even the most basic necessities for her children.
“When you are alone, and we don’t know where to turn, I also feel ashamed to ask my relatives,” Maricris recounted, her voice heavy with the weight of her circumstances.
The lack of a steady income and secure home had left her feeling helpless, unsure of how she would be able to feed her family.
But a glimmer of hope emerged when Maricris became one of the beneficiaries of the government’s “Walang Gutom 2027” program.
(Photo: DSWS Youtube channel screenshot)
Launched under the Marcos administration’s flagship “Bagong Pilipinas” initiative, Walang Gutom 2027 aims to provide monetary assistance through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to help alleviate hunger among the country’s most food-poor families.
“It is a very big help to us, especially for my children who are studying, receiving medical check-ups, and having meals,” Maricris said, her eyes brimming with gratitude. “To the DSWD, I want to thank you for tirelessly assisting us, and thank you for helping us with all our needs.”
The program, which started with 2,300 households and is now set to reach 300,000 food-poor families nationwide by the end of 2023, represents a concerted effort to tackle the persistent issue of hunger that has long plagued the Philippines.
In his third State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that it will help feed “one million” of the country’s most vulnerable citizens by 2027.
For Maricris and others like her, the impact of this support cannot be overstated. With the reliable flow of funds through the EBT cards, families are able to consistently put food on the table and address other pressing needs, such as healthcare and education.
The program’s focus on the “Go, Grow, Glow” food categories ensures that beneficiaries have access to a balanced and nutritious diet, helping to combat the scourge of malnutrition that has long afflicted low-income communities.
(Photo: DSWD Youtube channel screenshot)
Elvira Pamilar, a 25-year-old mother residing in Tondo, is another testament to the life-changing power of Walang Gutom 2027.
Prior to the program, Elvira and her husband had struggled to find stable employment, relying on handouts from her husband’s aunt to feed their family.
“We only eat at my husband’s aunt’s place,” Elvira shared, her eyes downcast as she recounted the daily struggle to secure even the most basic sustenance. But with the arrival of the Walang Gutom 2027 benefits, Elvira’s family now has the means to provide for themselves.
“We can now eat properly. Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to be part of the program, especially to PBBM,” Elvira said, her voice filled with relief and gratitude.
These stories of Maricris and Elvira represent the human faces behind the statistics, underscoring the profound impact that government initiatives like Walang Gutom 2027 can have on the lives of those trapped in the cycle of poverty and hunger.
By addressing the root causes of food insecurity and empowering families to take control of their own nourishment, the program is not only providing immediate relief but also laying the groundwork for a more equitable and prosperous future.
As President Marcos remarked in his SONA, “Our convergent programs to stamp out hunger and malnutrition were not only successfully launched, but yielded inspiring results thus far.”
With the continued commitment and collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the communities themselves, the vision of a “Walang Gutom” Philippines by 2027 appears increasingly within reach.
For Maricris, Elvira, and countless others, the Walang Gutom 2027 program has ignited a renewed sense of hope and purpose, allowing them to envision a brighter tomorrow for their families. As they navigate the challenges of daily life, armed with the resources to put food on the table, these beneficiaries are not merely surviving, but thriving – a testament to the power of compassionate, targeted interventions to transform lives and build a Bagong Pilipinas. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
