Sen. Francis Tolentino urged on Thursday the expansion of the administration’s flagship project, the Food Stamp Program (FSP), led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

During the plenary debates on the agency’s 2024 budget, Tolentino said, “I hope that the program can be enhanced by partnering with other institutions, religious institutions perhaps.”

The Senator added that there must be healthier food options for the beneficiaries of the said program by adding more accredited cooperative stores.

This was affirmed by the DSWD budget sponsor Sen. Imee Marcos.

“Everyone should be welcomed to the Food Stamp Program, but they must be properly accredited to guarantee quality and year-round supply,” she said.

Tolentino mentioned that the program can be enhanced by partnering with other institutions such as religious institutions.

"May mga madre tayo, mag mga kumbento tayo. Sa amin sa Tagaytay gumagawa ng cookies, gumagawa ng nutritional na mga tawilis na sardinas (We have nuns and convents. In Tagaytay the nuns make cookies, and other nutritional food products like sardines from tawilis)," Tolentino explained.

Meanwhile, Tolentino warned of the possible fraudulent schemes that might arise from the FSP as he cited experiences of other countries.

“Marami rin pong lumabas na fraudulent schemes. Iyong iba doble na ang kinukuha, ang iba binebenta. The reason why I asked is perhaps we can learn from the lessons of failed food stamp programs,” the Senator further concluded.

For Fiscal Year 2024, the FSP has an allotment of P1.89 billion, targeting 300,000 beneficiaries.

On the other hand, Tolentino also mentioned food banks and how they were very effective during the pandemic wherein food items were placed outside barangay halls and anyone can get a limited amount. He asked whether this was part of the program.

Marcos stated that there are many aspects being studied and that food banks are one of them because it is a very attractive alternative to food storage and supplementation.