The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 in Central Visayas is intensifying its efforts to validate and enroll 24,647 households into the Walang Gutom (No Hunger) Program before the end of 2025. This initiative is a targeted push to provide essential food assistance and bolster nutrition among the region's most impoverished families.
Onboarding Progress and Priority Beneficiaries
Since the onboarding process began on December 15, 2025, the agency has already successfully verified and enrolled 8,544 households. Officials expect this number to rise steadily as the validation drive continues in the coming days. The selection of new beneficiaries is based on the latest Listahanan 3 database, which identifies the poorest families.
Priority is being given to areas deemed highly vulnerable to disasters, such as those prone to flooding and earthquakes. This strategic focus ensures that families most likely to be affected by calamities receive immediate and crucial support.
Program Benefits: Financial Aid and Capacity Building
The core of the Walang Gutom Program provides each enrolled household with P3,000 per month specifically for food purchases. This financial aid is distributed electronically through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, ensuring a secure and efficient delivery mechanism.
Beyond direct cash aid, the program incorporates an educational component designed for long-term impact. Beneficiaries participate in Nutrition Education Sessions (NES) and productivity enhancement workshops. These sessions teach families about proper nutrition and equip them with potential livelihood skills, aiming to break the cycle of poverty and food insecurity.
Funding and Broader Impact
According to DSWD Undersecretary Eduardo Punay, the Walang Gutom Program is supported by funds from a loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the REFUEL Project. This international backing underscores the program's scale and importance.
Through this comprehensive approach, the Walang Gutom Program promises to bring food security and improved nutrition to thousands of families across Central Visayas. It is seen as a vital instrument in strengthening community resilience and enhancing the quality of life for every enrolled household.
