A total of 533,613 households are now enrolled in the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Walang Gutom Program (WGP), a key anti-hunger initiative of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“As of January 15, mayroon na tayong mahigit 533,000 na sambahayan na na-enroll sa ating WGP. Matatandaan na may nauna na tayong 300,000 households noong nakaraang taon at ngayon ay kinukumpleto naman natin ang ating target na 600,000 beneficiaries,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, said on Friday (January 16).
The DSWD spokesperson said the Department is fast tracking the enrollment through simultaneous verification and registration across regions with the highest incidence of involuntary hunger to complete the 600,000 target beneficiaries.
“Sa tulong ng ating mga Angels in Red Vests (ARVs) mula sa ating WGP-National and Regional Program Management Office (N/RPMO), sabay-sabay tayong pumupunta sa mga rehiyon na may mataas na bilang ng involuntary hunger upang agad tayong makapag-enroll ng deserving at qualified na household beneficiaries,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.
A total of 750,000 households in 52 provinces are expected to be enrolled in the WGP before the President steps out of office in 2028, according to Asst. Secretary Dumlao.
“Matatandaan din natin na by batches ang pag-enroll natin sa WGP. Bago matapos ang termino na ating Pangulo ay wawakasan natin ang kagutuman, kasama ang ibang ahensya ng ating pamahalaan. Yan po ang bilin ng ating Pangulo at ng aming butihing kalihim, Secretary Rex Gatchalian,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.
On January 13, the ‘Angels in Red Vest’ of the DSWD’s Field Office 5 – Bicol Region conducted verification and registration in the municipality of Oas in Albay; Ragay, Baao, Buhi, Caramoan, Tinambac and Presentacion in the province of Camarines Sur; and the municipalities of Barcelona, Bulan, and Casiguran in Sorsogon.
Similar activities are also being conducted in the different regions, including Regions 2 (Cagayan Valley); MIMAROPA; 5 (Bicol Region); 6 (Western Visayas); 7 (Central Visayas); 8 (Eastern Visayas); 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula); 10 (Northern Mindanao); 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN); CARAGA; Negros Island Region (NIR); and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Launched in 2023 and institutionalized in 2024 by virtue of Executive Order (EO) No. 44, the WGP is the flagship anti-hunger program of the Philippine government, which is aligned with the goal of President Marcos to address food insecurity in the country. (YADP)
