The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Walang Gutom Program (WGP) has reached its 2026 target of enrolling 600,000 food-poor households as part of the government’s efforts to address involuntary hunger.
WGP Deputy Program Manager Director Camille Anne Francisco-Taguba said the program has successfully enrolled the targeted number of beneficiaries for the year.
“Kasalukuyan po, nakumpleto na po natin yung target natin for 2026 na 600,000 food-poor households na na-enroll sa Walang Gutom Program,” Francisco-Taguba said during the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on July 16.
The DSWD is aiming to expand the program further by enrolling 750,000 food-poor households by 2027 or before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term, according to Francisco-Taguba.
She clarified that the WGP is a conditional assistance program, requiring beneficiaries to comply with specific requirements to continue receiving support.
“Ang pagiging miyembro po ng Walang Gutom Program, hindi lamang po ibig sabihin ay bibigyan lang sila ng assistance. Sila po ay may kondisyon upang manatili sa programa,” she said.
One of the requirements is participation in the Kalusugan, Kakayahan, at Kabuhayan (3K) Sessions, where beneficiaries receive guidance on proper nutrition, healthcare, livelihood skills, disaster preparedness, and family engagement through food planning and preparation activities.
“Sa mga sessions po na iyan, atin silang tinuturuan kung paano yung tamang pangangalaga ng kalusugan, kung paano yung tamang nutrisyon, ano yung mga skills na pwede nilang magawa upang mas mapabuti yung kanilang nutrisyon at kabuhayan. Kasama rin po rito, nagbibigay rin tayo ng disaster-related preparedness, paano rin po nila mai-involve yung mga anak nila, parang relationship-building pero centered on food, like food preparation, food planning,” Francisco-Taguba explained.
She warned that beneficiaries who repeatedly fail to attend required activities without valid reasons may have their benefits suspended.
“May guidelines po tayo rito na sinusunod na kapag dalawa o tatlong beses na walang magandang dahilan ng pagliban sa activities ay puwede silang ma-hold sa pagtanggap ng benepisyo nila,” she said.
Aside from the 3K Sessions, employable members of beneficiary households are encouraged to join productivity enhancement activities, including job fairs facilitated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and skills training programs offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Francisco-Taguba also said the DSWD continues to strictly monitor compliance with program rules and has removed beneficiaries found violating guidelines.
“May case na rin po kaming natanggal gaya noong binenta yung produkto [na na-redeem sa WGP] upang ipambili ng pinagbabawal na gamot,” she said.
Under the Walang Gutom Program, qualified food-poor households receive electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards loaded with ₱3,000 monthly food credits, which may be used to purchase nutritious food items from accredited partner merchants.