DAVAO CITY – Mati City has been chosen as one of the national finalists in the Walang Gutom (no starvation) Award by the Galing Pook Foundation (GPF) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In a letter to Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat, organizers invited her to attend the final presentation and the awarding on June 25 and 26 at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.
The Walang Gutom Awards aim to acknowledge and highlight the accomplishments of local government units (LGUs) promoting their success stories in combating involuntary hunger and malnutrition among Filipinos, particularly children.
“We sincerely appreciate your dedication in helping us achieve our goal of a hunger-free and food-secured Philippines, one LGU at a time,” the organizers said.
The DSWD reported that a total of 101 LGUs joined the search, of which 25 were selected for the national finals. The LGUs with the best anti-hunger initiatives and practices on food security will receive P2 million each.
In the Davao region, only Mati City and the municipality of Asuncion in Davao del Norte were among the national finalists which were five barangays, nine municipalities, seven cities, and four provinces.
According to the organizers, to be eligible for the awards, the program must be executed within the barangay, municipality, city, or provincial level.
The program should have in operation for a minimum of one year and it must show tangible and significant outcomes in improving food security and nutrition.
The DSWD and Galing Pook Foundation will recognize 10 LGUs across the country.