Bacolod: About 50,000 families across the Negros Island Region (NIR) are benefiting from the government's Walang Gutom Food Stamp Program, including approximately 20,000 from Negros Oriental, a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) official announced.
According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-NIR Director Arvin Razo stated that the program, now in its second year nationwide, is being implemented for the first time in the newly created region. Under the program, qualified beneficiaries receive monthly food credits worth PHP3,000, which can be used to purchase nutritious food, including fruits, at accredited retailers. "This program is one of the flagship initiatives of the President to ensure that no Filipino family goes hungry," Razo emphasized.
To promote the program, DSWD-NIR organized an Innovation Caravan and the Walang Gutom Cook-Off Challenge at the convention center in the city as part of the Nutrition Month celebration. Razo highlighted that five teams from various local government units participated in the cook-off challenge, with the winning team set to represent the NIR in the national competition. The participants, beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom program, showcased dishes prepared with locally available produce and raw ingredients.
Meanwhile, DSWD Assistant Secretary for Innovations Baldr Bringas noted that the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. continues to prioritize addressing poverty, hunger, and illiteracy. Despite significant investments in government interventions, Bringas acknowledged that the country faces persistent social challenges. He cited data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, indicating that about 750,000 households nationwide remain food poor, unable to afford three nutritious meals a day.
Bringas also expressed concerns about the literacy situation, highlighting that many Filipinos struggle with reading comprehension, while the number of families living on the streets is rising. He mentioned that DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has stressed the need for innovative approaches, as repeating the same interventions would not produce different results. The department has formed its innovations group to develop practical solutions, challenge conventional approaches, and improve the delivery of social services.
Undersecretary Ed Punay emphasized the importance of a whole-of-government approach in implementing anti-poverty programs. He explained that the President has directed national government agencies to strengthen coordination with local government units to ensure the effective implementation of programs and services for poor and vulnerable sectors.
