DSWD holds Walang Gutom Kusinero cook-off challenge, innovations caravan in Agusan del Norte

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sponsored the Walang Gutom Kusinero: Cook-Off Challenge as part of the Innovations Caravan on Thursday (March 5) at the Amontay Beach Resort in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, highlighting the creativity and culinary skills of beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom Program (WGP).

The cook-off competition featured participants from several municipalities in the Caraga region, including San Jose, Dinagat Islands; Bacuag, Surigao del Norte; Tandag City, Surigao del Sur; Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte; and Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

The event aimed to demonstrate how WGP beneficiaries can prepare nutritious yet affordable meals using resources provided under the government’s anti-hunger initiatives.

Leading the activity was Undersecretary Edu Punay of the DSWD’s Innovations and Program Development Group (IPDG). He was joined by Asst. Secretary for Innovations Atty. Baldr Bringas, DSWD Field Office (FO) Caraga Regional Director (RD) Mari-Flor Dollaga, Asst. Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Jean Paul Parajes, Nasipit Mayor Roscoe Plaza and officials from the National Program Management Office (NPMO) of the Innovations Division.

Serving as cook-off judges were Chef Marky, the official “Coachsinero” of the competition, and Marco Antonio Ho, popularly known as “Bogart the Explorer,” who joined the event as the region’s guest “Coachsinero.”

The competition concluded with Kusinera Mhe Ann Caduyac and her assistant, Kusinera Ester Gomez Caduyac, of San Jose, Dinagat Islands, emerging as champions for their winning dish, “Kinhasong Law-oy Ala Dinagat,” a traditional vegetable soup.

Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, said the cook-off highlighted how beneficiaries themselves can take an active role in addressing hunger in their communities.

“The Walang Gutom Kusinero: Cook-Off Challenge shows that our beneficiaries are not only recipients of assistance, they are partners in the fight against hunger. Through activities like this, we highlight their creativity, resourcefulness, and ability to prepare nutritious meals using local ingredients,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said on Monday (March 9).

The DSWD spokesperson said the cook-off also provides an opportunity to celebrate local food traditions while promoting healthy and affordable meals.

“Through the Walang Gutom Kusinero: Cook-Off Challenge, we are also able to showcase the rich local dishes and culinary traditions of our communities. Many of the meals prepared by our beneficiaries reflect local ingredients and cooking styles that are both nutritious and culturally meaningful, proving that healthy food can also come from our own regional cuisines,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.

The cook-off challenge forms part of the government’s broader WGP, a flagship initiative that seeks to reduce hunger and malnutrition among Filipino households while empowering beneficiaries to develop practical food preparation skills.

Alongside the cook-off, the Innovations Caravan featured information booths from various programs under the IPDG, including the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program (TBTP), Pag-Abot Program, Pamilya sa Bagong Pilipinas Program, and the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP).

The Innovations Caravan also featured interaction with the Local Government Units (LGUs), during which the LGUs expressed their interest in the new programs and raised questions that were addressed by Undersecretary Punay and Asst. Secretary Bringas.

Through these activities, the DSWD aims to strengthen community awareness and participation in its innovative programs while empowering beneficiaries with knowledge, skills, and opportunities that contribute to improved nutrition and sustainable livelihoods. (CC)

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