Manila: A total of 1,219 beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Walang Gutom Program redeemed their food stamps at various redemption sites across the city during the June 16-17 event.

According to Philippines News Agency, the beneficiaries came from various barangays, with redemption sites located at a mall (444), Cabag±an West (374), and the Legazpi City Convention Center (401). On Tuesday, beneficiaries from Barangays Kawit East Washington, Cabag±an West, Bagong Abre, Bigaa, Matanag, Bonga, Dap-Dap, Puro, Lamba, Homapon, Banquerohan, Buenavista, Cagbacong, and Bagumbayan redeemed their food stamps. The following day, residents of Barangays Maoyod Poblacion, Victory Village, Sabang, Kapantawan, Bitano, Gogon, Rawis, San Joaquin, Arimbay, Estanza, Taysan, Buragwis, Mariawa, Imalnod, and Bariis accessed the food redemption service.

Under the Walang Gutom Program, beneficiaries can redeem a PHP3,000 food package using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at partner retailers. Marlon Nicol, the husband of a program beneficiary, shared how the food assistance has significantly helped meet his family's daily nutritional needs. He mentioned that the rice allocation lasted for about a month, while the eggs and other food items provided additional support for daily meals. "The vegetables included in the food packs contribute to healthier and more nutritious meals, especially for my children who are studying," Nicol noted.

Another beneficiary, Rose Ann Abani from Barangay Imalnod, expressed her gratitude for the assistance she received while redeeming food packages at the convention center on Wednesday. "The monthly food assistance helps provide our family's needs, allowing us to allocate limited resources for my children's school projects, transportation, and daily allowances," she said. Abani also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the government for the program's continued implementation.