MANILA. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian announced that the newly launched “Walang Gutom (Zero Hunger) Kitchen” aims to address food wastage and combat hunger across the country.
“This Walang Gutom Kitchen is a food bank kung saan ang private sector at ang public sector ay magsasanib pwersa para mabawasan ang wastage ng pagkain at matugunan ang problema ng kagutuman sa Metro Manila and later on, when we expand this type of food banks, nationwide,” said Gatchalian during the sidelines of the project’s launch in Pasay City.
The initiative will follow the provisions of Republic Act 9803 or the Food Donation Act of 2009, which encourages the donation of wholesome food for charitable purposes. Gatchalian emphasized that the food bank seeks to bridge the gap between food surplus from private sector donors and the needs of the hungry population.
“Ang plano natin is to expand it later on and open more of its branches so that ‘yung mga kababayan natin na nasa pribadong sektor na may excess na pagkain, pwede nilang maibaba rito sa Walang Gutom Kitchen para ‘yung mga nagugutom nating mga kababayan, pwedeng-pwedeng pumunta rito anytime para makakuha ng libreng pagkain,” he added.
The Walang Gutom Kitchen is housed in a repurposed former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub. It features the integration of three DSWD flagship programs: the Pag-Abot Program, the Walang Gutom Program, and the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program.
According to the DSWD, clients reached through the Pag-Abot Program or walk-in beneficiaries will receive food and other basic necessities after undergoing assessment by social workers. This initiative also simplifies the “individualized case management” process, which includes assessment, intervention planning, and progress tracking for homeless individuals.
Additionally, the Tara, Basa! program will establish reading corners within the facility, allowing beneficiaries access to developmental interventions such as parenting education and character-building activities.
“Sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin na gustong tumulong sa ating mga kababayan na nagugutom… we will take on any type of food donation and drinks donation, whether gusto mo na own personal capacity or nagkataon na may negosyo ka at may sumobrang pagkain, basta galing sa pribadong sektor, alinsunod na rin sa batas, tatanggapin namin iyan para ipakain at ipamahagi araw-araw sa mga nagugutom nating mga kababayan,” Gatchalian stated.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos attended the project launch, joining Gatchalian and private sector partners in distributing food to beneficiaries. Other notable attendees included Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, DSWD Undersecretary for Operations Group Pinky Romualdez, Undersecretary for Innovations Group Eduardo Punay, Assistant Secretary for Innovations Group Baldr Bringas, and Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations Paul Ledesma.
Gatchalian expressed optimism that the Walang Gutom Kitchen would expand nationwide, promoting collaboration between the government and private sectors to address hunger and food wastage.
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