Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Wednesday (January 15) expressed hope in securing stronger private sector buy-in for the ‘Walang Gutom’ Kitchen as he met with partner-organizations to discuss ways to stabilize food supply in the newly-opened soup kitchen in Pasay City.
While fast food chains and other establishments have been supplying food to the Walang Gutom Kitchen, the DSWD chief is “hoping to get more private sector buy-in,” especially from hotels.
“Now what we want to stabilize is the supply. That is our goal, to really make it into a food bank. We are hoping to get more players into the picture para talagang whole-of-nation approach,” the DSWD chief told officials of the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA).
During the meeting held at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City, Secretary Gatchalian asked the PHOA officials for updates from their members and if there are any concerns on the part of the hotels in terms of donating excess or surplus food.
PHOA Executive Director Benito Bengzon Jr. told Secretary Gatchalian they immediately informed the members of their organization of the initiative of the DSWD and encouraged them to take part in the Walang Gutom Kitchen.
Considering that hotels and other establishments have their own guidelines when it comes to the treatment of excess food, PHOA President Arthur Lopez said the existing Philippine law on food banking will guide the members of the group if there are concerns on liabilities.
“All they have to do is deliver their food to us. May liability waiver naman kami, on our side, and the law indemnifies them,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The DSWD chief told PHOA officials that the agency will be in charge of the pick-up, storage, and waste management.
“Pick-up, we can para hindi na burden sa inyo,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.
Currently, the Walang Gutom Kitchen’s partners and donors include Unilever; PHOA; Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines, Inc.; Jollibee Group Foundation; Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines; Inc., Nestle; Century Pacific; Monde Nissin Foundation, Inc.; Discovery Primea Hotel; Bossing Marketing; Barkadang Walang Pangalan; Vanessa Jane Lusaria; and Jaime Ching.
Joining Secretary Gatchalian in the meeting were Undersecretary for Innovations Eduardo Punay and Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for Innovations Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo.
