The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Walang Gutom Program (WGP) remains on track in the government’s fight against involuntary hunger, with 600,000 food-poor households now benefiting from the initiative.

Director Camille Anne Francisco-Taguba, Deputy Program Manager of the WGP, said the DSWD has reached its 2026 target of enrolling 600,000 food-poor households into the program.

“Kasalukuyan po, nakumpleto na po natin yung target natin for 2026 na 600,000 food-poor households na na-enroll sa Walang Gutom Program,” Director Francisco-Taguba said during the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on July 16.

According to the WGP director, the DSWD is targeting to enroll a total of 750,000 food-poor households by 2027 or before President Ferdinand R. Marcos steps out of office.

The WGP official also clarified that the anti-hunger initiative is conditional and that beneficiaries must comply to receive their monthly assistance.

“Ang pagiging miyembro po ng Walang Gutom Program, hindi lamang po ibig sabihin ay bibigyan lang sila ng assistance. Sila po ay may kondisyon upang manatili sa programa,” Director Francisco-Taguba explained to reporters.

One of the conditions is attendance in the Kalusugan, Kakayahan, at Kabuhayan (3K) Sessions, where beneficiaries receive lessons on proper nutrition, health care, livelihood skills, disaster preparedness, and family engagement through food planning or preparation.

“Sa mga sessions po na iyan, atin silang tinuturuan kung paano yung tamang pangangalaga ng kalusugan, kung paano yung tamang nutrisyon, ano yung mga skills na pwede nilang magawa upan mas mapabuti yung kanilang nutrisyon at kabuhayan. Kasama rin po rito, nagbibigay rin tayo ng disaster-related preparedness, paano rin po nila mai-involve yung mga anak nila, parang relationship-building pero centered on food, like food preparation, food planning,” the WGP director said.

The WGP deputy program manager added that failure to attend the required sessions without valid reasons may result in the suspension of benefits.

“May guidelines po tayo rito na sinusunod na kapag dalawa o tatlong beses na walang magandang dahilan ng pagliban sa activities ay puwede silang ma-hold sa pagtanggap ng benepisyo nila,” Director Francisco-Taguba said.

Aside from attending the 3K Sessions, employable household members are encouraged to participate in productivity enhancement sessions, including job fairs organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and skills training offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Director Francisco-Taguba also warned that the DSWD strictly monitors compliance with program rules and has already removed beneficiaries found violating the guidelines.

“May case na rin po kaming natanggal gaya noong binenta yung produkto [na na-redeem sa WGP] upang ipambili ng pinagbabawal na gamot,” Director Francisco-Taguba said.

Under the WGP, eligible food-poor households receive electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards loaded with Php3,000 monthly food credits that can be used to purchase nutritious food from accredited partner merchants. (YADP)