Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to strengthen President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administration's fight against involuntary hunger through the Walang Gutom Program (WGP) and the nationwide expansion of the Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK).
According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao emphasized the administration's commitment to ensuring that no Filipino family is left behind in the fight against hunger. The initiative aims to prevent child stunting due to a lack of nutrition knowledge and to eliminate the worry of families about their next meal.
Dumlao reported that 600,000 household beneficiaries have been enrolled in the WGP as of May 31, from the target of 750,000 food-poor households nationwide. These beneficiaries receive monthly PHP3,000 food credits to purchase balanced and nutritious food from accredited retailers, with allocations for carbohydrates, protein, and dietary fibers.
To promote long-term self-sufficiency, household beneficiaries participate in Kalusugan, Kakayahan, at Kabuhayan (3K) sessions. These sessions provide practical knowledge on healthy food choices, proper nutrition, livelihood opportunities, and other capacity-building interventions.
The program also supports a sustainable farm-to-table ecosystem by involving small farmers, cooperatives, and community-based organizations as accredited retailer partners. This unique aspect of the WGP benefits both food-poor households and local agricultural communities.
The WGK complements the WGP by addressing hunger among families in street situations and reducing food waste. The expansion includes new kitchens in Cebu City and Zamboanga City, alongside the original kitchen in Pasay City. From December 2024 to June 2026, these kitchens served 302,561 hot meals to 219,304 individuals, including children and adults.
The DSWD plans to open additional WGKs in Quezon City, Catbalogan City in Samar, and Butuan City in Surigao this year. The goal is to have 12 operational kitchens by June 2028 to provide more food assistance to individuals and families experiencing involuntary hunger.
