Manila: Beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) and the Walang Gutom Program in the Bicol Region continue to receive cash and food assistance aimed at easing the burden of vulnerable households amid rising costs of basic commodities.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio highlighted that the Walang Gutom Program seeks to reduce involuntary hunger and food insecurity among low-income households by providing PHP3,000 worth of monthly food credits through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. The program also promotes healthier food choices through its Kalusugan, Kakayahan at Kabuhayan sessions.

Beneficiaries can use their monthly food credits to purchase nutritious food items from accredited partner retailers, including rice, vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, eggs, and other approved products under the Food and Nutrition Research Institute's Go, Grow and Glow food groups. As per the latest Food Redemption Monitoring report, the Walang Gutom Program has 63,753 beneficiaries in Bicol, distributed across Camarines Sur, Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Norte, and Catanduanes.

Laurio stated that several safeguards are in place to ensure the proper use of EBT cards, such as digital transaction monitoring, accreditation and monitoring of partner merchants, and regular field monitoring and validation. These measures ensure that purchases are restricted to approved nutritious food items.

In a recent redemption, Lorna Agripa Zamora, a 52-year-old solo parent, expressed her gratitude for the PHP2,000 cash assistance she received under the UPLIFT program, which will be used for her children's school needs. Meanwhile, Dolores Diocariza from Rawis, Legazpi City, shared that the monthly food credits have significantly eased the burden of feeding her family, especially with the rising rice prices.

Laurio emphasized that the Walang Gutom program is implemented to allow beneficiaries to choose nutritious food for their families, promoting both food security and respect for the beneficiaries' dignity. All purchases made through EBT cards are digitally recorded and monitored to ensure proper use of the assistance.