Pasay city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK) served a total of 200,003 meals to 142,246 unique and returning clients experiencing involuntary hunger, including families and individuals in street situations (FISS) in 2025.
According to Philippines News Agency, the WGK's efforts are part of a larger initiative to combat hunger and ensure food security for vulnerable populations. The meals provided by WGK are not only abundant but also meticulously prepared to ensure they meet nutritional standards, as emphasized by Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao. She highlighted the significance of serving over 200,000 nutritious meals to beneficiaries.
The DSWD spokesperson noted that the private sector's assistance has been crucial in sustaining the daily operations of the kitchen. WGK also focuses on reducing food wastage by turning surplus food from hotels, restaurants, and organizations into hot meals. Key partners include Unilever Philippines Inc., the Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines Inc., Jollibee Group Foundations, Gardenia Bakeries Inc., Scholar of Sustenance Philippines, Food Panda Ph, Monde Nissin Philippines, Presidential Management Staff, New World Makati Hotel, and Nestle Philippines.
Dumlao shared that the partnership with these organizations enables WGK to serve daily meals that are both delicious and nutritious. She gave examples of meals served, such as garlic rice, scrambled eggs with potato, and fried tuna for breakfast, and rice, fried chicken, lumpiang shanghai, and saut©ed sayote and carrots for lunch.
In addition to corporate partnerships, companies, groups, and individuals contributed volunteer services as food and water servers, registration personnel, and crowd control personnel in 2025. Dumlao acknowledged the invaluable support of donors and volunteers, quoting Secretary Rex Gatchalian on the essential role of the private sector in providing food and serving beneficiaries despite DSWD's provision of manpower and utilities.
The WGK is a component of DSWD's innovative programs aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s vision to eradicate hunger, as part of the Walang Gutom Program under Executive Order No. 44, which mirrors food stamp programs in other countries. The kitchen is situated at the Nasdake Building in Pasay City.
