Lesser Pinoys experiencing involuntary hunger based on latest SWS survey

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is pleased with the results of the second-quarter Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which showed that fewer Filipinos are experiencing involuntary hunger.

The latest SWS survey conducted from June 20 to 29 found that 20.3 percent of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger, or being hungry and having nothing to eat at least once in the past three months, 2.9 points lower than the 23.2 percent in March.

“The DSWD welcomes the result of this latest survey. Pinapakita po nito na nararamdaman ng ating mga kababayan ang mga programa at inisyatiba ng ating gobyerno laban sa kagutuman. Sabi nga ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., ang birthday wish niya ay tuluyang mawakasan ang kagutuman,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, said on Tuesday (August 25).

According to the DSWD spokesperson, the decrease in the incidence of involuntary hunger can be attributed to the government’s anti-hunger initiatives including the Walang Gutom Program (WGP) and the Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK) which is now operating in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

“The decline in hunger in several parts of the country is encouraging and shows that government efforts, particularly the implementation of the Walang Gutom Program, are gaining traction. This is also consistent with an earlier study which showed a decline in hunger among Walang Gutom beneficiaries,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.

Asst. Secretary Dumlao was referring to the SWS survey commissioned by Globe Telecom, with WGP beneficiaries as respondents, showing that food poverty among WGP beneficiaries declined to 77.6 percent in June from 79 percent in March.

“For us, these results are important because they show that providing families with regular access to food can make a difference,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

Through the WGP, the DSWD provides Php3,000 monthly food credits to beneficiaries, which they can use to purchase nutritious food from accredited merchants and retailers.

Currently, there are 600,000 WGP beneficiaries receiving food assistance from the DSWD.

Another innovation of the DSWD is the WGK, which provides free hot meals to families and individuals experiencing involuntary hunger.

The DSWD is currently operating three kitchens, one at the Nasdake Building in Pasay City, one in Cebu City located at Pier 4 OKK Square Unit, and another similar facility at the FGL Building in Zamboanga City.

The Department plans to replicate the initiative in nine more strategic areas nationwide.

Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the findings from the latest SWS survey will also guide the DSWD in further improving, innovating, and refining its social protection programs.

The SWS report recorded that “the 2.9-point fall in hunger between March 2026 and June 2026 was due to decreases in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, and the Visayas, even as hunger rose in Mindanao.”

“At the same time, we recognize that the situation is not the same across all regions. We will use this data to further improve the implementation of the WGP and other social protection measures; identify where the needs are greatest, and make sure that our interventions remain responsive to the families we serve as we continue collaborating with our local partners,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said. (YADP)

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