THE Social Weather Stations study that noted a sharp decline in hunger incidence among Walang Gutom Program beneficiaries is an affirmation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to end hunger in the Philippines, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.
“Ngayon nga na alam natin na yung Walang Gutom Program ay nakakatulong na bawasan ang kagutuman, mas sisikapin pa natin na palawakin ito at maging tulay for us to end hunger tulad ng vision at instructions ng ating Pangulo,” Gatchalian said.
The SWS reported that WGP households experiencing hunger dropped by 4.1 percentage points—from 48.7% in October 2024 to 44.6% in December. In contrast, non-beneficiaries who have experienced hunger went up by 6.1 points.
The DSWD chief noted that the difference in beneficiaries’ and non-beneficiaries’ standing indicates that the WGP is making significant progress and on the ’right track’ in tackling the issue of hunger in the country.
Launched in 2023 and institutionalized in 2024, the WGP aims to bring down the incidence of involuntary hunger experienced by Filipinos from low-income households.
Gatchalian expressed optimism that the WGP will further elevate the condition of the country’s most vulnerable.
The gains of the program also benefit Filipinos engaged in small food business.
Tiangco hails expansion of P20/kilo rice program
Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco has commended the Department of Agriculture (DA) for its continued efforts to expand the government’s ₱20-per-kilogram rice program, a key initiative aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision for greater food accessibility.
“We thank the Department of Agriculture for its commitment to innovating and finding ways to make President Marcos’ ₱20 rice goal a reality for more Filipinos.”
“This is a strong signal that the government is taking real steps to address food security and combat hunger,” he added.
Tiangco noted the steady expansion of the affordable rice program following its pilot launch in the Visayas. It’s now available in several Kadiwa stores across Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro, and Rizal.
