One year since the facility opened, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, together with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., marked the first anniversary of the Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK) in Pasay City on Wednesday (December 17).
President Marcos and Secretary Gatchalian spent time with the WGK beneficiaries, distributing special holiday snacks for families and individuals experiencing hunger.
The prepared meal included spaghetti, fried chicken, lumpiang shanghai, hotdogs, and fruits, served to walk-in beneficiaries of the kitchen.
The WGK, which began operating on December 16, 2024, is located at the Nasdake Building in Pasay City, a facility which used to be a POGO hub.
“Naka isang taon na o one-year anniversary ng Walang Gutom Kitchen. Ibig sabihin kung kada araw, 700 katao ang napapakain natin dito—mga nagugutom natin ng kababayan—one year na natin ginagawa yun, mula almusal hanggang tanghalian,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The President and the DSWD chief also distributed gift boxes to beneficiaries as part of the anniversary and holiday activity.
“Sa araw na ito, bumisita ulit ang ating Pangulo. This is his second time dito sa Walang Gutom Kitchen. If you can recall, kasi noong birthday niya, dito siya nag-mini-birthday celebration. Ang dream niya, ang birthday wish niya at ang pangarap niya, wala nang gutom ng Pilipino after his term. So ito, part na ito ng overall drive natin,” the DSWD chief said.
According to Secretary Gatchalian, the WGK operates as a walk-in soup kitchen that provides hot and fresh food to individuals and families experiencing hunger without requiring prior registration, subject to the available food supply.
Meals served at the facility, as mentioned by Secretary Gatchalian, come from surplus food donations from partner establishments, including hotels and fast food chains, in compliance with existing laws on food donation and food waste reduction.
“Ang partner natin dito, mga fast food chain, pati din yung Philippine Hotel Owners Association at yung Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Philippines. Sila yung nagdadala ng pagkain dito. Bagamat mayroon din kaming ino-augment na mga putahe, pero the whole concept here is no food should go to waste at [dapat] mapakinabangan ng mga kababayan natin,” the DSWD chief pointed out.
Walang Gutom Kitchen open even on holidays – DSWD chief
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK) will remain open and will continue to accept walk-in families and individuals experiencing hunger during the holidays and the remaining days of December.
“Open kami all the way to December 24 and then magbubukas kami ulit sa 26 all the way to the 31st,” Secretary Gatchalian said during the visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the WGK on Wednesday (December 17) to bring holiday gifts to beneficiaries.
According to the DSWD chief, the kitchen will be closed on December 25 and January 1, 2026.
Secretary Gatchalian also called for individuals who want to do something meaningful this holiday season by rendering volunteer service at the kitchen.
“Kung naghahanap kayo ng makabuluhang pagtulong ngayong Pasko, welcome kayo dito sa kitchen para mag-service. Hindi kailangan magdala ng pagkain. Magdadala kayo, tatanggapin namin. Pero pag oras lang ang kaya nyo, the best gift this Christmas is the gift of time. Mag-volunteer kayo dito sa Walang Gutong Kitchen,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
To volunteer as food and water servers; registration personnel; and crowd control personnel, register at https://forms.gle/dVnewCCWbPyTbud16 or visit the WGK at the Nasdake Building, FB Harrison, Pasay City.
“Nawa ay sa darating na kapaskuhan, tuloy-tuloy na tumayong simbolo itong Walang Gutom Kitchen ng pag-asa—pag-asa na kaya natin wakasan ang kagutuman once and for all,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The WGK is one of the DSWD’s innovative programs that helps realize the long-time aspiration of President Marcos to end hunger and ensure that no Filipino family should go hungry. (YADP)
