Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday (January 13) reiterated that all Filipinos experiencing hunger can go and eat at the agency-operated Walang Gutom Kitchen located in Pasay City.
“Everybody is welcome kasi wala namang may gusto ng kagutuman at kailangan lahat ay natutulungan,” Secretary Gatchalian said in an interview over PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.
Secretary Gatchalian said there is no verification process in entering the soup kitchen facility but basic information of individuals availing of the free food is being put into the system for monitoring purposes.
Since its launching last December 16, more than 10,000 individuals have availed of the hot, nutricious and healthy food at the agency’s Walang Gutom Kitchen, Secretary Gatchalian said over PTV.
When asked about the agency’s plans for 2025, the DSWD chief said the Department is eyeing the opening of more soup kitchens nationwide.
“Alam natin na pag pumupunta ka sa iba’t ibang lugar, marami pa rin ang nakikitang wastage ng pagkain. We want to make sure na walang nasasayang na pagkain at nabibigay natin sa nangangailangan,” Secretary Gatchalian told the Bagong Pilipinas program anchors.
The Walang Gutom Kitchen is the latest innovation of the DSWD aimed at addressing involuntary hunger and reducing food wastage by turning donated surplus food from hotels, restaurants, and organizations into hot meals for individuals experiencing hunger.
The soup kitchen is located at the Nasdake Building, a former POGO hub in Pasay City.
