MANILA, Philippines – Inaprubahan ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, na pinangungunahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang enhanced Food Stamp Program ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Sa pahayag nitong Huwebes, sinabi ng Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) (formerly NEDA) na ang NEDA Board, sa final meeting nito bago maging Economy and Development (ED) Council noong Abril 23, ay nagbigay ng pagsang-ayon para sa Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers (REFUEL) Project.
Ito ay tugon sa Republic Act No. 12145 o Economy, Planning, and Development Act, na kumikilala sa NEDA sa isang DEPDev, ang NEDA Board ay gagawin nang ED Council — na pangungunahan pa rin naman ng Pangulo.
“By approving the REFUEL project, the government demonstrates its unwavering commitment to fight food insecurity and undernutrition. The program reflects a renewed focus toward ending involuntary hunger, uplifting vulnerable communities, and promoting resilience through smart, nutrition-sensitive social protection,” sinabi ni Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
Ang REFUEL project ay pinalakas na Philippine Food Strategic Transfer and Alternative Measures Program (STAMP) spearheaded ng DSWD.
Ang programa ay mananatili sa ilalim ng “Walang Gutom” 2027 Food Stamp Program na isa sa flagship programs ng Marcos administration.
Sinabi ng ahensya na palalakasin ng proyekto ang implementasyon ng Walang Gutom Program para sa 2025 hanggang 2028, target ang 750,0000 food-insecure households na tinukoy mula sa Listahanan 3 database ng DSWD, bagamat sakop pa rin ang kaparehong set ng mga benepisyaryo mula sa dating Philippine Food STAMP.
“The project’s goal is to strengthen our shock-responsive social protection systems by ensuring the timely delivery of food vouchers to Filipinos in need, particularly those facing hunger and nutritional challenges in the face of increasing climate and disaster risks,” ani Balisacan.
Ang REFUEL ay ipatutupad mula Hulyo 2025 hanggang Hulyo 2028, kasunod ng pilot rollout ng dating Philippine Food STAMP noong nakaraang taon.
Tinatayang aabot sa P74.6 billion ang pondong gagamitin ng proyekto, na popondohan ng Asian Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, at Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Fund for International Development. RNT/JGC
