President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the country's second Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Walang Gutom Kitchen in Cebu City on June 22, 2026. Located near the Cebu City port area, the facility aims to serve approximately 300 to 400 street dwellers and mendicants daily, providing nutritious meals as part of the government's intensified anti-hunger campaign.
A jumpstart program for street dwellers
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. described the Walang Gutom Kitchen as a “jumpstart program” for individuals who have long occupied sidewalks and public spaces. The city has been working on the project for an extended period to assist people living on the streets. The initiative is managed through a memorandum of agreement between the Cebu City Government and the DSWD, which was approved by the City Council around two months ago.
Mayor Archival explained that the program will help the city manage, assist, and eventually rehabilitate individuals by providing immediate food support while linking them to longer-term social interventions. The city plans to relocate beneficiaries to a facility in Barangay Labangon, where they may undergo assessment for possible employment, rehabilitation, or return to their home provinces. Local officials noted that around 10 to 14 individuals on the streets are believed to be suffering from severe drug-related conditions and will receive specialized intervention.
More than just a free meal
The Walang Gutom Kitchen is part of a broader “whole package” intervention addressing hunger, malnutrition, and homelessness. According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the Cebu facility is the second in the country and the first outside Metro Manila, following the initial rollout in Pasay City. He emphasized that the program is designed to address involuntary hunger while linking beneficiaries to social protection services.
“The Walang Gutom Kitchen is a comprehensive community hub that addresses involuntary hunger while also linking beneficiaries to social protection services,” the DSWD stated.
How the kitchen operates
The kitchen is open to walk-in clients with no registration required and can accommodate up to 200 beneficiaries per meal service. Initially operating during lunchtime, the facility plans to expand to full daily operations, serving breakfast at 6 a.m. and lunch at 11 a.m. This will provide daily access to free, freshly prepared meals for vulnerable sectors.
In addition to feeding people, the program integrates food waste reduction efforts by accepting surplus food donations from hotels, restaurants, fast-food chains, and partner institutions. DSWD officials stated that strict food safety protocols are in place, with nutritionists and sanitation experts inspecting all donated food to ensure it is safe, nutritious, and fit for consumption.
Expansion plans
The formal inauguration by President Marcos Jr. marks a key step in the National Government’s broader anti-hunger campaign. Following the Cebu rollout, the DSWD announced plans to expand the Walang Gutom Kitchen to other areas, including Davao City, as part of a continuing nationwide effort to combat food insecurity and provide Filipinos with a healthier, more stable life.
