DSWD eyes increase in monthly food credits for 'Walang Gutom’ program beneficiaries
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is considering raising the current P3,000 monthly food credit allocation for beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom Program (WGP), as part of efforts to address hunger and food insecurity across the country.
In a press briefing at Malacañang on Monday, April 14, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the agency is assessing the program’s implementation to determine whether the existing food credit and its frequency are sufficient to meet the needs of beneficiaries.
The WGP is the government’s flagship anti-hunger initiative, currently supporting around 300,000 food-poor households nationwide.
Dumlao said the agency aims to reach 750,000 food-poor families by 2027, in line with President Marcos Jr.’s goal of a hunger-free Philippines by the end of his term in 2028.
The program, which began in 2023 with just over 1,000 beneficiaries, expanded to 150,000 in 2024 and has now doubled its reach.
“Talagang malaki na yung nai-aambang ng atin pong ahensiya sa paglutas po ng problema ng kagutuman and malnutrition (Our agency has truly made a significant contribution to addressing the problem of hunger and malnutrition),” Dumlao said.
In addition to reviewing the food credit system, she said the DSWD is also looking to expand the “Walang Gutom Kitchen,” an initiative that complements existing anti-hunger efforts.
Dumlao noted that the final recommendations for the expansion are expected within the month.