Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is advocating for a strengthened collaborative approach between the government and society to tackle the escalating issue of hunger and food insecurity. This initiative comes in response to the latest survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS), which indicates a rise in involuntary hunger among Filipino families.
According to Philippines News Agency, the March 2026 SWS survey revealed that 23.2 percent of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger-defined as being hungry and not having anything to eat at least once in the past three months. This figure marks an increase from the 20.1 percent reported in November 2025. DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao acknowledged these findings, highlighting their significance in strengthening existing programs and identifying necessary modifications.
Dumlao pointed out the impact of ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have led to increased fuel and food prices, affecting many Filipinos. She emphasized the need for convergence among national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), private organizations, civil society groups, and communities to effectively address hunger.
The DSWD continues to promote a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, recognizing that achieving food security and poverty alleviation requires coordinated and sustained action from all sectors. To encourage LGUs and communities to contribute proactively, the DSWD hosts the Walang Gutom Awards, which recently recognized 20 LGUs for their notable initiatives in addressing hunger and food insecurity.
The top 10 LGUs received a PHP2-million allocation each in livelihood assistance, while the next 10 received PHP1 million each under the DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Dumlao expressed that these initiatives aim to strengthen partnerships with local governments and communities, allowing them to utilize livelihood allocations to expand hunger-ending programs.
The DSWD also continues to implement various programs in collaboration with other government agencies and the private sector, focusing on reducing food insecurity among vulnerable sectors. Through the Walang Gutom Program (WGP), the DSWD provides food credits and nutrition support to food-poor households nationwide. The department aims to assist 750,000 food-poor families before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leaves office, with 600,000 families already enrolled in the program.
Additionally, the DSWD plans to expand its Walang Gutom Kitchen initiative, which offers free hot meals to individuals experiencing hunger. New kitchens are set to open in Cebu and are being considered for Zamboanga City, Dumlao added.
