President Marcos said the Philippines is now closer to achieving zero hunger as he officially launched the Food Stamp Program (FSP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Surigao del Norte on Sept. 29.

Marcos said this as he officially kicked off the administration's Zero Hunger campaign in Siargao Island.

In his speech, the President said the distribution of the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to beneficiaries of the Food Stamp Program aims to achieve zero hunger in the Philippines and ensures that the beneficiaries are healthy and strong.

"Isinusulong natin ang ‘Food Stamp Program’ upang matiyak na hindi lamang busog ang mga benepisyaryo, kundi malusog, masigla at malakas na magagampanan ang pang-araw-araw na mga gawain (We're pushing the FSP to make sure that the beneficiaries are not full, but they are healthy, energetic, and strong enough to perform their daily activities),” he said.

"Ang laking tulong nito (EBT cards) sa ating pagsisikap na maibsan ang gutom ng mga mamamayan at tuluyan nang masugpo ang kahirapan sa bansa (The EBT cardsa are a huge help in our efforts to end hunger and poverty in the country)," he added.

The FSP is one of the DSWD's flagship programs. It aims to decrease the incidence of involuntary hunger through available and accessible nutritious food for less fortunate households while helping address nutritional concerns.

It provides cash-based assistance in the form of EBT Cards. The distribution of the EBT cards was piot-tested on July 18 in Tondo, Manila.

At least 50 beneficiaries received the EBT cards loaded with P3,000 worth of food credits that can be used to buy food supplies during the ceremonial distribution on Friday.

Records from the DSWD showed that there are already 100 FSP beneficiaries nationwide.

Meanwhile, President Marcos assured the provincial government and the residents of Surigao del Norte that the government, led by the DSWD, will not stop looking for sustainable solutions to ensure their welfare and security.