DSWD Plans to Double Beneficiaries
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to double the number of beneficiaries of the government’s food stamp program from 300,000 to 600,000 before the end of the year. This expansion aims to enhance the program’s impact on reducing hunger among food-poor Filipinos nationwide.
Officials reported that the food stamp program has shown promising results in lowering hunger rates, prompting this significant increase in coverage. The exact 4-word keyphrase “food stamp program” is central to this initiative’s success.
Positive Impact Evident in Recent Survey
A recent survey commissioned by private sector groups revealed a steady decline in hunger prevalence among beneficiaries of the food stamp program. Community members noted that hunger among recipients dropped to 41.5 percent in March, indicating a positive trend.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian shared in a briefing that the Walang Gutom Program is delivering early signs of success. He emphasized, “We are seeing early signs of success of the Walang Gutom Program. And as instructed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we will expand the program further to 600,000 beneficiaries in the second half of the year to make a bigger and more tangible impact on poor Filipino households.”
Survey Details and Regional Highlights
Dr. Roehlano Briones of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) explained that the latest survey covered 10 regions and 22 provinces. It showed a 7.2 percentage point drop in hunger incidence among food stamp program beneficiaries over six months, from October 2024 to March 2025.
Specifically, hunger prevalence fell from 48.7 percent in October 2024 to 44.6 percent in December 2024, then further declined to 41.5 percent in March 2025. This marks the second consecutive quarter of improvement.
The most significant reduction occurred in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)-Plus cluster, which includes Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte and del Sur, Lanao del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay. Hunger incidence there dropped by 17.4 percent, the sharpest decline recorded.
Local leaders noted that nearly one-third of the program’s current beneficiaries reside in BARMM provinces, which also have the highest hunger prevalence.
Government Commitment and Budget Allocation
Secretary Gatchalian expressed satisfaction with the program’s positive effects, saying, “We are pleased with the favorable results that clearly show the positive impact of the WGP on the food-poor beneficiaries. Consequently, we will continue to develop ways to make the program more responsive to address the food insecurity of the program’s beneficiaries.”
This year, the DSWD allocated P1.89 billion to implement the food stamp program. The same budget amount has been requested for the following year to sustain and expand the initiative.
Survey Background and Related Findings
The SWS survey, known as the “Walang Gutom Tracker,” was commissioned by private companies on behalf of the DSWD. It aligns with the regular SWS survey results, which recently reported a 3.9 percent decrease in Filipino families experiencing involuntary hunger.
For more news and updates on the food stamp program, visit Filipinokami.com.
