THE government's Walang Gutom Program (WGP) was launched in Cebu City on Thursday, July 31, 2025, with 52 beneficiaries start redeeming food items using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at the City Hall Grounds.
This initiative underscores a concerted effort by national agencies to combat hunger and empower low-income households.
The Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program is a flagship initiative by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA).
It aims to reduce involuntary hunger and enable beneficiaries to become productive members of society.
A key goal is to bring down the cost of rice to P20 per kilogram, easing the financial strain of rising food prices on Filipino families.
DSWD Regional Program Coordinator Ledie Mariz Tan said in an interview that the program targets 300,000 individuals for nationwide registration in its first year.
Central Visayas accounts for 32,000 of these beneficiaries, with other Cebu cities also scheduled for the redemption phase.
"The National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) identified the beneficiaries," Tan said.
This system serves as a centralized database for government agencies and other stakeholders to pinpoint eligible recipients for social protection programs.
The Walang Gutom Indicator (Wagi) tool, combined with interviews by social workers and Wagi staff, further refines the identification process by determining poverty levels and confirming eligibility.
Beneficiaries received their EBT cards from local government unit focal persons prior to the redemption date.
Each card is loaded with P3,000 in food credits, allowing for digital purchases.
The allocation for food items is structured to encourage nutritious choices: 50 percent (P1,500) for "Go Foods" (carbohydrates), 30 percent (P900) for "Grow Foods" (proteins), and 20 percent (P600) for another category of "Go Foods" (fruits and vegetables).
Unused funds can purchase other available commodities.
Each beneficiary is entitled to a total of 36 redemptions, spanning three years, at affiliated retail stores.
Upon completion of their redemptions, a ceremonial graduation will acknowledge their journey through the program. (Jessa M. Bacus, UV intern)