TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office has released food assistance to 1,183 families in Eastern Visayas since December as part of the expanded “Walang Gutom” program, an initiative meant to address the incidence of involuntary hunger and malnutrition.
The DSWD recorded last week the highest number of beneficiaries at 985. Identified families received food packs and P3,000 food credits under the program, said DSWD Eastern Visayas regional information officer Joshua Kempis in a phone interview Wednesday.
In the first two weeks of January, those who received food assistance were from the towns of Lawaan, Dolores, and Maslog in Eastern Samar province; Jiabong, Sta. Margarita and Catbalogan City in Samar; Palo, Abuyog, Babatngon, and Tacloban City in Leyte.
Using an indicator and know-your-client tools, the DSWD has listed more qualified recipients to be part of the flagship of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
As of Dec. 27, the total number of eligible beneficiaries for the Walang Gutom program was 42,959 households, or 112.28 percent of the actual target of 38,261, Kempis said.
These families will receive PHP3,000 food credits in their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which they will use for buying food supplies in DSWD-accredited retailers.
“Redemption activities are still ongoing as of press time, and we have yet to determine the final numbers of households that received food packs from our accredited suppliers under the program,” Kempis said.
All beneficiaries are required to attend nutrition education sessions for them to continue receiving food aid.
The amount credited in the card will be used for buying food supplies, including P1,500 for carbohydrates (50 percent), P900 for protein (30 percent), and P600 for fats, oil, and other dietary fibers (20 percent).
Under the program, each family gets P3,000 per month on their EBT card for three years. The selection of recipients is based on household income, assets, and other factors.
The DSWD determined the list of beneficiaries through a thorough evaluation and validation process conducted by field validators during the registration and assessment phases.
The program seeks to achieve food security by addressing involuntary hunger experienced by low-income Filipino households and providing them better access to nutritious food using an EBT card.
It allows beneficiaries to buy a variety of food items, including fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, meats, fish, poultry, and non-alcoholic beverages. Certain items, such as hot foods, vitamins, and household supplies, are not eligible for purchase with food stamps.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)
