Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has announced its intention to expand the Walang Gutom Kitchens (WGK) initiative with 12 new kitchens set to be established nationwide by 2027, primarily in areas with high levels of involuntary hunger.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD also plans to open three additional kitchens in the latter half of 2026, strategically located in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. These new facilities will augment the existing kitchens in Pasay City, Cebu City, and Zamboanga City. Social Welfare Officer 4 and Walang Gutom Kitchens Officer-in-Charge Ramil Mapoy detailed the current operations, highlighting that the existing kitchens are strategically located in key regions across the country. By the second half of 2026, the DSWD aims to open new kitchens in the National Capital Region, Region 8, and the Caraga Region.

Mapoy emphasized that the kitchens are accessible to all individuals experiencing involuntary hunger, with a particular focus on families and individuals in street situations (FISS). The program not only provides free hot meals but also ensures the nutritional value of the food served, adhering to the Pinggang Pinoy dietary guidelines recommended by the National Nutrition Council and validated by the Department of Science and Technology's Food and Nutrition Research Institute.

Since its inception in December 2024, the Pasay City kitchen has served 306,428 meals. The Cebu City facility, operational since June, has provided 6,666 meals, while the Zamboanga City kitchen has distributed over 3,000 free meals since it also opened in June. Mapoy extended an invitation for volunteers to assist at these kitchens and encouraged organizations to contribute surplus food.

The Walang Gutom Kitchens program, spearheaded by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, seeks to mitigate involuntary hunger and reduce food waste by transforming surplus food from hotels, restaurants, and other establishments into nutritious meals for those in need.