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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos serves free meals, hands out gifts to Walang Gutom beneficiaries

Marcos serves free meals, hands out gifts to Walang Gutom beneficiaries

Published Dec 17, 2025 05:53 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the gift-giving during a visit to the DSWD Pag-Abot Program: Pasko Kasama ang Pangulo in Pasay City on December 17, 2025. During the event, the President personally handed out gifts and distributed snacks to beneficiaries. The activity forms part of the administration’s holiday outreach efforts aimed at extending assistance and bringing cheer to vulnerable sectors of society. (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the gift-giving during a visit to the DSWD Pag-Abot Program: Pasko Kasama ang Pangulo in Pasay City on December 17, 2025. During the event, the President personally handed out gifts and distributed snacks to beneficiaries. The activity forms part of the administration’s holiday outreach efforts aimed at extending assistance and bringing cheer to vulnerable sectors of society. (Mark Balmores)
A week before Christmas, President Marcos joined volunteers in serving free meals and distributing gifts to beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom Program.
Wearing a Santa hat, Marcos served "walked-in clients" at the Walang Gutom Kitchen in Pasay City on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 17, during the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)'s Pag-Abot Program: Pasko Kasama ang Pangulo.
He also helped in handing over gifts to the beneficiaries, consisting of children, individuals, and families, the majority of whom are living in the streets.
The President also led the inspection of the facilities at the Pag-Abot Processing Center.
According to Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, Marcos' visit to the Walang Gutom Kitchen and Pag-Abot Processing Center aims to convey his support to families in need of social welfare protection.
"Layunin ng pagbisita ng Pangulo na maipadama sa mga kababayan natin na kasama nila ang pamahalaan ngayong pasko (The President's visit aims to make our fellowmen feel that the government is with them Christmas)," Castro said during a Palace briefing.
“Isang paalala na hindi sila nag-iisa at kailanman ay hindi sila makakalimutan ng gobyerno (A reminder that they are not alone and the government will never forget about them,” Castro added.
She further said that Marcos aims to further strengthen all programs that provide them protection and hope.
"Sa ilalim ng liderato ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., lahat ng mga programa na naglalayong magbigay-proteksyon at pag-asa sa pamilyang Pilipino magtutuloy-tuloy sa susunod na taon (Under the leadership of President Marcos Jr., all programs aimed at providing protection and hope to Filipino families will continue into the coming year)," Castro said.
The Pag-Abot Processing Center will provide temporary shelter to children, individuals, and families in street situations (CIFISS) and provide recovery, protection, and support.
The center features a family area, male and female quarters, mess hall, wellness area, holding and processing area, multi-purpose hall, and medical room.
It has a 180-bed capacity, which also provides home life care services to the beneficiaries. It became operational in April 2024.
The program has served 1,772 beneficiaries in its pilot implementation in 2023, with 741 individuals successfully reintegrated with their families.
Institutionalized by President Marcos through Executive Order No. 52 series of 2024, the program is currently implemented in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon, and will be expanded to Central Visayas next year.
The Walang Gutom Kitchen, a component of the Pag-Abot Program, serves as a food bank to address involuntary hunger among families and individuals in street situations.
Launched on Dec. 16, 2024, at the Nasdake Building in Pasay City, the facility serves breakfast and lunch to approximately 250 to 300 walk-in beneficiaries daily, with the help of food donors.
The Palace said the DSWD plans to expand the Walang Gutom Kitchen to cater to beneficiaries in Central Luzon and Central Visayas next year.

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President Marcos Walang Gutom Kitchen Pag-Abot Program DSWD
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