Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian is pleased to witness the five teams of selected beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom Program (WGP) as they show off their cooking skills at the first Walang Gutom Kusinero Cook-Off Challenge on Friday (February 28) at the Dapa Gymnasium, in Dapa, Surigao Del Norte.

Each of the meals prepared by the participants was judged based on two criteria: innovation and creativity, and adherence to “masustansya, masarap, at murang pagkain” advocacy.

Other DSWD officials who were present to oversee the competition were Undersecretary Edu Punay and Assistant Secretary Baldr Bringas of the Innovations and Program Development Group (IPDG), and DSWD Field Office Caraga Regional Director Mari-Flor Dollaga.

The agency also invited culinary expert and social media influencer Chef Marky Bartolome as the official coach-kusinero of the competition.

Also present in the activity were local officials from the municipality headed by Dapa, Surigao del Norte Mayor Elizabeth Matugas. (AKDL)