DAVAO CITY (April 14) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced plans to expand its ‘Walang Gutom’ Kitchen initiative to the Visayas, Mindanao, and select areas in Manila, aiming to address food insecurity among vulnerable populations.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao stated that the expansion seeks to accelerate the government’s anti-hunger efforts, providing accessible meals to low-income households. The ‘Walang Gutom’ Kitchen, part of the Food Stamp Program, offers hot meals to needy people, utilizing surplus food from partner establishments.
In addition to combating hunger, the DSWD is enhancing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) by collaborating with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to facilitate job opportunities for beneficiaries. Recent job fairs have resulted in over 3,000 4Ps members receiving employment offers, with some being hired on the spot during the fair, which will lessen the country’s unemployment rate.
The agency also plans to digitize social welfare organizations’ registration and accreditation processes, aiming to streamline services and extend assistance to the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized sectors.
These initiatives align with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to reducing hunger and poverty, striving for a nation where every Filipino can access sufficient food and sustainable livelihood opportunities by 2028.
