Beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Walang Gutom Program (WGP) will soon be able to purchase rice at Php20 per kilo, a senior official of the agency said on Sunday (July 6).
The “Benteng Bigas, Meron na sa WGP” is line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s directive of making sure that the food-poor and vulnerable groups are provided with affordable rice.
The Php20 per kilo rice for WGP beneficiaries will be launched during a food redemption activity on Monday (July 7) at Morsac Basketball Court, Barangay 69 in Tondo, Manila.
“Simula sa Lunes, makakabili na ang ating mga benepisyaryo ng Php20 kada kilong bigas mula sa mga accredited retailers at Kadiwa ng Pangulo. Ito ay malaking tulong para mas mapalawak ang kakayahan nilang makabili ng masustansya at sapat na pagkain para sa buong pamilya,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said.
The initial batch of beneficiaries includes solo parents, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) who are enrolled in the WGP.
The Php20 rice will be made available through Department of Agriculture (DA)-accredited suppliers and retailers, including Kadiwa outlets, that will participate in WGP food redemption days.
Under the WGP, beneficiaries receive Php3,000 monthly food credits through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.
These food credits can be used to buy nutritious food during scheduled redemption days, after attending nutrition education sessions (NES), which is one of the conditions of the program.
The addition of Php20 per kilo rice, according to the DSWD spokesperson, aims to stretch the value of the beneficiaries’ food credits while reinforcing food security.
“This coordination with the DA is a big boost to our efforts to fight hunger and promote proper nutrition. Through this initiative, our beneficiaries can now access affordable rice while continuing to buy healthy food for their families,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The WGP, a flagship anti-hunger program of the Marcos administration, currently serves 300,000 low-income households and aims to reach 750,000 before President Marcos’ term ends in 2028. (YADP)