MANILA – In an effort to combat involuntary hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian announced the launch of a pilot test for the recently-introduced
Food Stamp Program. The trial run, set to run for six months, aims to enhance the program’s systems and mechanisms, allowing for a more effective full-scale implementation of the anti-hunger initiative nationwide.
During an interview with journalist Katrina Domingo of ANC on Thursday, July 20) Secretary Gatchalian emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough pilot test before implementing a scaled-up version of the program. “We don’t want to be embarking on a scaled-up program without studying what works and what does not work,” he asserted.
The pilot test is expected to provide crucial insights into the program’s functionality and efficiency, enabling the DSWD to make necessary improvements in preparation for its nationwide rollout next year. “The larger the pilot, the better it is because we seek to get outcomes from different geographic areas,” Secretary Gatchalian explained.
Working in line with the mandate given by the President, Secretary Gatchalian confirmed that the DSWD would collaborate with other government agencies to address the nutritional needs of food-poor families, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will join forces with the DSWD to offer additional interventions to support vulnerable households.
Secretary Gatchalian clarified that food-poor families, as defined by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), are households with a monthly income not exceeding P8,000. He emphasized that the Food Stamp Program is designed as a supplementary measure to bolster their food intake and is not intended to cover their entire month’s needs.
“This is supplemental in nature. We do not plan to augment their entire month’s food needs,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The Food Stamp Program also aims to address the issue of malnutrition and stunting by promoting behavioral changes in beneficiaries’ eating habits. “It is about teaching. We teach food-poor families to purchase right, to cook right, to eat right at home,” Secretary Gatchalian explained.
The DSWD Secretary assured prospective beneficiaries that the program would partner with numerous merchandise providers to ensure sufficient support for food stamp holders. The DSWD continues its accreditation process for agri-cooperatives, grocery stores, and small and medium enterprises to join the initiative.
Looking forward with optimism, Secretary Gatchalian expressed hope that the successful pilot run of the Food Stamp Program would have a significant impact on alleviating involuntary hunger, malnutrition, and stunting in the Philippines. (DSWD)
