The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) plans to expand its Walang Gutom Kitchens (WGK) nationwide, with 12 facilities targeted to be operational by 2027 in areas with high incidence of involuntary hunger.
The expansion will add to the existing three kitchens located in Pasay City in Luzon, Cebu City in the Visayas, and Zamboanga City in Mindanao.
The DSWD is also targeting to establish three additional kitchens by the second semester of 2026, with one facility each in the three major island groups.
“Sa ngayon po ay mayroon na tayo sa National Capital Region (NCR) sa Luzon sa Pasay City, we have Cebu City sa Visayas, and then Zamboanga City [sa Mindanao]. Target po by second semester na madagdagan pa po ng another one sa NCR, another one po sa Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), at another one po sa Caraga Region,” Social Welfare Officer (SWO) 4 and Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Ramil Mapoy of the WGK said during the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on July 16.
Mapoy said the Walang Gutom Kitchens are open to all individuals experiencing involuntary hunger, particularly families and individuals in street situations (FISS).
“We are open to all, especially sa ating mga kababayan na naninirahan, namamalagi sa lansangan, at open din po tayo sa general public,” he said.
The WGK does not only provide free hot meals but also ensures that food served follows the Pinggang Pinoy dietary guide recommended by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and validated by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-FNRI).
“Dito po sa kitchen, hindi kami nagbibigay ng simpleng palugaw o pasopas. Dito po sa WGK, sinusunod po natin yung Pinggang Pinoy, so mayroon po tayong go, grow, and glow food. We ensure na mayroong kanin. In a daily serving po, we offer two viands. We ensure po na in a plate, mayroon tayong gulay at meat,” Mapoy said.
“Dito po sa Pasay, we ensure na yung pagkain natin ay makakain ng karamihan kaya ang madalas po nating ino-offer ay chicken at fish para sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.
The Pasay City WGK has served 306,428 meals since its launch in December 2024.
Meanwhile, the Cebu City kitchen, which opened in June, has already served 6,666 meals, while the Zamboanga City branch has provided more than 3,000 free meals to beneficiaries.
Mapoy also encouraged individuals and groups to volunteer their time at the kitchens and urged organizations to donate surplus food.
The Walang Gutom Kitchen is one of the initiatives introduced under the leadership of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian to address involuntary hunger while reducing food waste by converting donated surplus food from hotels, restaurants, and organizations into nutritious meals for people experiencing hunger.