One of the goals of the Food Stamp Program (FSP) is to address the oversupply of agricultural products that often result to wastage due to lack of market, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said on Wednesday (June 7).

Speaking at the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay hosted by veteran journalist, Marichu Villanueva, Secretary Gatchalian said that the DSWD is in constant coordination with the Department of Agriculture to tap local farmers to become active partners in the implementation of the FSP.

“Alam natin na maraming magsasaka na palagi na lang napapaulat minsan excess iyong tomato, walang bumibili. Noong isang araw squash, walang bumibili. That’s why in this program mahuhubog natin din, na makakatulong tayo na iyong wastage from our farmlands, hindi itatapon lang (We are aware of the reports that farmers often have oversupply in tomatoes or squash without buyers. That’s why in this program, we aim to shape a solution where we can also help. We will lessen the wastage from our farmlands),” the DSWD chief told the media forum.

Secretary Gatchalian pointed out that the program was initially designed to prioritize ‘farmers-driven stores’ such as those operated by the Kadiwa ng Pangulo and Agri-Coop, as outlets where beneficiaries can buy goods and products.

“We have to be able to link the farmers, ‘yong mga produkto nila, sa lamesa ng mga mahihirap na Pilipino. Hindi na lang farm-to-market tayo. farm-to-table na rin.  (We need to establish a connection between the farmers and the tables of poor Filipinos, ensuring that their products reach those in need),” the DSWD secretary pointed out.

With the ‘farm-to-table concept, Secretary Gatchalian hopes to help local farmers and fisherfolks to have a platform to sell their agricultural products, while also addressing the hunger problem in the country.

“This is a program that is also meant to help our farmers,” the Secretary Gatchalian said.

The digital food stamp, worth Php 3,000 food credit, seeks to empower poor families to purchase food and goods based on their preferences.

Secretary Gatchalian highlighted the importance of the FSP in providing  ‘food supplement to 1 million Filipino families who are considered food poor.’

Beneficiaries of the program were targeted based on the Family Income and Expenditure Survey, or those who are considered food-poor Filipino families with below Php 8,000 income.

The program will be piloted in different areas for six months. #