The government officially kicked off its Food Stamp Program (FSP) on Friday as part of its “No Hunger” campaign, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. distributing electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to beneficiaries in Siargao Island.
“We are pushing the Food Stamps Program to ensure that the beneficiaries are not only well-fed, but also healthy, energetic, and strong enough to carry out their daily activities,” the President said in Filipino. “That’s why I am happy that we are able to officially start the Food Stamp Program here in CARAGA.”
The FSP is the flagship program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that aims to alleviate hunger in the country through the accessibility of nutritious food for the poor.
Under the program, beneficiaries will receive cash-based assistance in the form of EBT cards, which will receive P3,000 worth of monthly aid that can be used to buy food supplies.
The government started the program’s pilot run in Tondo, Manila in July, where 50 families were selected as beneficiaries.
Joey Razon
Mr. Marcos reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the FSP will be “anomaly-free,” asking various agencies to implement the program properly.
The President also thanked international partners for making the project possible as part of the government’s continuing engagement with private stakeholders to create programs to aid Filipinos.
“Rest assured that your investments in the Filipino people will bring about the progress and prosperity that we all aspire for,” Mr. Marcos said.
“With your support, I am certain that we can empower even more disadvantaged Filipinos to rise up and make a different course for their future – a future without hunger,” he added.
Asian Development Bank Country Director Pavit Ramachandran, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel, and United Nations Resident Coordinator for the Philippines Gustavo González were present during the distribution of the EBT Cards.
France has assured the Philippines that it will continue its cooperation to improve food security in the country.
While launching the DSWD’s Walang Gutom (No Hunger) program, Fontanel lauded the Philippines’ effort to wage its battle against hunger.
“France stands shoulder to shoulder with the Philippines in a number of areas,” Fontanel said.
“Here in Siargao, precisely, I cannot but think of the work we did together after typhoon Odette/Rai when the French authorities provided emergency aid so that life could quickly return to normal on this magnificent island,” the French ambassador said.
Fontanel noted that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “profoundly destabilized commodity markets” that worsened people’s situation, especially the most vulnerable. “So France expressed its willingness to work alongside the Philippines to improve food security,” she said.
“This is the battle that you have decided to wage thanks to Walang Gutom! And I’m with you today to show France’s support for your initiative here in Surigao del Norte,” she added.
The Philippines and France’s cooperation on food security is “developing very rapidly,” Fontanel noted.
This includes partnerships on the development of a dairy industry and cooperatives to pool production tools.
“On all these issues, as President Emmanuel Macron recently conveyed to President Marcos, France has been there, wants to be there, and will always be there; it is our way to see the partnership between our two countries,” the envoy said.
“With France, you can count on a reliable partner, an all-weather partner,” she added.