Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday welcomed the approval by the House Committee on Social Services of a substitute bill seeking to institutionalize the agency's Walang Gutom Program (WGP).
According to Philippines News Agency, the substitute measure, approved during the House committee hearing on Monday, aims to establish the WGP as a permanent government program to address involuntary hunger, support low-income households, and boost local agricultural production.
"The institutionalization of the Walang Gutom Program will strengthen the commitment of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to address involuntary hunger and ensure that food-poor and vulnerable families have access to adequate and nutritious food," DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a statement on Wednesday.
She noted that WGP's institutionalization will also ensure continuous support to farmers, fisherfolk, as well as micro and small enterprises supplying food items during food redemption activities for WGP beneficiaries.
Launched in 2023 and institutionalized in 2024 through Executive Order No. 44, the WGP serves as the Philippine government's flagship anti-hunger program, pursuant to President Marcos Jr.'s directive to combat food insecurity and reduce involuntary hunger among Filipino families.
Beneficiaries receive PHP3,000 monthly food credits that they can use to purchase nutritious food items from DSWD-accredited retailers.
Dumlao expressed gratitude to the members of the House Committee on Social Services for supporting the measure and recognizing the importance of sustained interventions against hunger.
"Ang DSWD po ay nagpapasalamat sa Kongreso sa patuloy na pagsuporta sa mga programa ng aming Departamento (The DSWD thanks Congress for its continuous support for the programs of the department). We will remain committed to working closely with legislators and other stakeholders to ensure that no Filipino family goes to bed hungry and that programs addressing food insecurity are strengthened and sustained," the DSWD spokesperson said.
