President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Tuesday that the government has made strides in reducing food poverty, citing a significant decrease in the number of food-poor families.
“We are doing a better job of feeding people who need it,” Mr. Marcos said during a sectoral meeting at Malacañang.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that the Food Stamp Program (FSP) has helped reduce the number of food-poor families from one million to 700,000 in the past year.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian explained that the program’s success has created “legroom” for further expansion.
The DSWD’s report, based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, noted that food poverty fell substantially between 2021 and 2023.
Implemented through Executive Order No. 44, s. 2023, the FSP aims to address involuntary hunger among low-income households.
Launched as a pilot in December 2023 and running until July 2024, the program provided P3,000 worth of monthly food credits to 2,366 households.
These credits, issued via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, allow recipients to purchase select food items at KADIWA stalls and other authorized retailers.
As of October 16, the program has enrolled 182,771 beneficiaries, with 89,772 households already redeeming food credits.
The government plans to expand the program in 2025, targeting an additional 300,000 households, followed by another 400,000 in 2026. By 2027, the FSP aims to support one million food-poor households across 10 regions and 22 provinces.
To show the administration’s commitment to fighting hunger, President Marcos on Monday led the ceremonial signing of the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Joint Memorandum Circular.
The initiative builds upon a program initially started in 2016 by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to address hunger and poverty.
Expanded in 2019, the program has transformed into the EPAHP, now involving 34 national and international partners.
The partnership connects farmers, fisherfolk, and other food producers with larger markets and government feeding programs, aiming to increase income and ensure vulnerable communities access nutritious food.
