THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI is preparing to roll out the Walang Gutom Program in the region.
DSWD XI announced on Monday it aims to reach 12,838 households in the region who are experiencing food insecurity.
The program, called Reducing Food Insecurities and Undernutrition through Electronic Vouchers (REFUEL) Walang Gutom Program aims to address food insecurity and undernutrition by supporting qualified food-poor households.
As part of preparations, the DSWD XI held an orientation for its staff on Sept. 24, to ensure readiness on the processes and mechanisms to be used in implementing the program.
The Walang Gutom Program falls under the DSWD’s Innovations Division.
In the region, the program targets household beneficiaries across four provinces: Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.
The orientation also introduced an application tool that will be used to identify, validate, and manage qualified household beneficiaries.
“Sa nalalapit na implementasyon ng programa, inaasahang mas mapalalakas ang mga hakbang ng DSWD sa pagtugon sa gutom at food insecurity, lalo na para sa mga pamilyang higit na nangangailangan,” the agency said.
WGP beneficiaries, according to the DSWD website, are provided with monthly P3,000 food credits that they can use to purchase balanced and nutritious food from accredited retailers.
Complementing the WGP is the Walang Gutom Kitchen, the country’s first government-run soup kitchen and food bank which addresses hunger among families in the streets.
DSWD expanded the initiative with the opening of WGKs in Cebu City on June 22 which already served 6,666 meals, and Zamboanga City on June 29 which provided more than 3,000.
This is in addition to the first kitchen in Pasay City which has served 306,428 meals since its launch in December 2024.
From December 2024 to June 2026, the kitchens served 219,304 individuals, including children, adults, and families experiencing hunger.
The DSWD is also set to open a Walang Gutom Kitchen in Quezon City, Catbalogan City in Samar, and Butuan City in Surigao this year, and 12 are targeted to be operational before June 2028.
