Bicol: A total of 16,979 beneficiaries from Albay and Masbate provinces redeemed their food stamps under the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) Walang Gutom Program from June 22 to July 1.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio stated that the program aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives to ensure quality services and sufficient nutrition for every beneficiary. Laurio emphasized that the agency worked diligently to ensure that beneficiaries received food items that were fresh, of high quality, and sufficient to cover more than a month's worth of their families' needs.

DSWD-Bicol focused on reaching households most in need of food support. Laurio added that the scheduled food redemption for July in different provinces is already set. Among those who received food commodities was Nanay Zoriada, 56, a mother of 10 from Sitio Maninila, San Jose, Libon, Albay. She shared the challenges of making ends meet with her income as a hotel cleaner, which had to cover food, her children's education, and other expenses like electricity bills.

Nanay Zoriada expressed her gratitude for the program, saying, "It's not enough, so I'm just focusing on what we need most. That's why the Walang Gutom Program was a big help to my family because apart from saving money, we were also given enough nutrition that our bodies need. It's a great relief that the Walang Gutom Program helped us."

Laurio also reminded beneficiaries to ensure they receive their food properly and safely before leaving the redemption site to maintain good quality.