manila: For a solo parent raising two school-aged children on an irregular income, putting nutritious meals on the table used to be a daily struggle. In an interview on Thursday, Refiel Elaine Garcia, a beneficiary of the government's Walang Gutom Program, said seven months of receiving monthly food redemption packs have transformed not only their family's meals but also the health and well-being of her children.

According to Philippines News Agency, Garcia shared that the food assistance follows the "Go, Grow and Glow" nutrition concept, which provides a variety of food items, including a 25-kg sack of rice, pork, chicken, dried fish, vegetables, fruits, cooking oil, onions, garlic, and other condiments. This improved access to nutritious food has enabled her to provide regular, balanced meals for her children, aged 9 and 7, who both attend school.

Garcia expressed relief that she no longer worries about skipping meals and can ensure her children eat on time daily. With reduced food expenses, Garcia can now redirect her funds to other essential needs, including medicine, vitamins, school supplies, and clothing. "The money that I used to spend on food can now be used to buy vitamins for my children. As a result, they have become healthier and more active," she remarked.

Working as an on-call brand ambassador for about four days a week, Garcia earns approximately PHP2,000 weekly. Before joining the program, this amount was often insufficient to support her family. She recalled that prior to becoming a beneficiary, the family sometimes survived on plain rice porridge flavored only with garlic, onion, and ginger due to financial constraints.

Garcia learned about the Walang Gutom Program through the DSWD's social media page and underwent a validation process before being included as a beneficiary. She described receiving confirmation of her family's qualification for the program as emotional, reflecting on the hardships they faced after moving to their community.

Expressing her gratitude, Garcia thanked the national government and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for implementing the initiative, emphasizing that it has helped restore her family's sense of security and dignity. She hopes the program will continue to support families with similar challenges, ensuring children have access to nutritious food and live healthier lives.