With innovations and constant improvements as its core principles in development, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is eyeing to enhance the Walang Gutom Program (WGP) and changes are currently underway to ensure that the program will continue being more responsive to the hunger and nutritional needs of its beneficiaries.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian emphasized this as he visited Tatay Anselmo Brosas, a WGP household-beneficiary from Tondo Manila who emerged as the winner in the recently-held National Capital Region-Walang Gutom Cook-off challenge where he featured an original dish of ‘sinigang na tinapang galunggong’.
Aside from congratulating Tatay Anselmo, the DSWD chief took the opportunity to check on the condition of the Brosas family and listened to their feedback on the WGP to which they are currently enrolled.
“Ang gusto ng ating President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., lahat ng nakakaranas ng kagutuman, mae-enroll namin. Kaya kami nandito ngayong umaga, kasi gusto namin kausapin yung benepisyaryo mismo natin, maintindihan kung para sa kanila okay ba yung programa, may maipapaganda pa ba, may maidadagdag pa ba?” Secretary Gatchalian said in his conversation with Tatay Anselmo and his family.
In response to the DSWD chief, Tatay Anselmo recalled how the program helped in ensuring they get sufficient food on the table despite his small earnings as a tinapa vendor since the 1990s.
“Itong nangyari to sa buhay ko, ibang klase ‘to kasi napakalaking bagay po. Noong araw ay mahirap lang po talaga, nalilipasan o nagtitipid ng pagkain, pero ngayon, okay na po — nagmemerienda pa ng kanin ang apo ko,” Tatay Anselmo told Secretary Gatchalian who was accompanied by Undersecretary Edu Punay and Asst. Secretary Baldr Bringas of the Innovations Program and Development Group (IPDG).
Tatay Anselmo had always looked for ways to provide for his family and he happily told the DSWD officials present that the Walang Gutom Program was a ‘blessing,’ and one-of-a-kind opportunity.
“Malaki pong bagay ito, sinabi ko nga nung panahon na marami na kong nadaanan na presidente ngayon lang nangyari yung ganito kagandang tulong sa buhay ko, ibang klase ito,” Tatay Anselmo shared.
Secretary Gatchalian assured Tatay Anselmo and other WGP beneficiaries that the agency will continue enhancing its services for the best interest of the people, in line with the Marcos administration’s directive to make government programs faster, more efficient and more responsive to the daily needs of Filipino people.
The DSWD has already coordinated with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the inclusion of the P20 per kilo rice in the food supply and produce which can be redeemed from accredited retailers, merchants and Kadiwa outlets.
The DSWD chief will also take note of Tatay Anselmo’s suggestion to increase the amount of assistance to catch up with the evolving needs of families in need.
“Isa yan sa pina-aral satin ng ating Pangulo. Kasi kung matatandaan niyo ,ang layunin ng Pangulo natin aay mawakasan ang kagutuman at ang istruksiyon niya ay siguraduhin na epektibo ang programa. Isa sa nakikita natin enhancement na maaring tingnan ay yung amount ng assistance,” the DSWD chief pointed out.
Secretary Gatchalian also assured Tatay Anselmo’s family that the DSWD will look for ways to help him expand his tinapa business and a more stable job for his only daughter who works in a neighborhood salon.
“Sa mga darating na araw po mag-coconduct tayo ng job fair para sa mga benepisyaryo ng Walang Gutom Program. At kung hindi naman po sapat o kulang yung kaalaman or skills natin, pe-pwede tayong humingi ng tulong ng TESDA para ma-enhance ang skills ninyo,” the DSWD chief said.
Launched in 2023, the WGP provides eligible families with electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards loaded with Php3,000 in monthly food credits, ensuring that food-poor households have access to sufficient and healthy meals.
Through food assistance and nutrition education, coupled with the livelihood and skills enhancing programs with other agencies and the private sector, the WGP continues to work toward a hunger-free and healthier Philippines. (LSJ)