DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has underscored the role of the private sector in maintaining the daily operations of the newly-opened Walang Gutom Kitchen.
“Though we [DSWD] do provide manpower and we pay for the utilities, everything else is powered by the private sector,” Gatchalian said, referring to the different kinds of food donated by private benefactors.
The Walang Gutom Kitchen is the latest innovation of the DSWD aimed at addressing involuntary hunger and reducing food wastage by turning donated surplus food from hotels, restaurants, and organizations into hot, nutritious meals for hungry individuals.
The DSWD chief said the government is employing a whole-of-nation approach which includes the private sector in addressing hunger before the end of President Marcos’ term on June 30, 2028.
“These are basic sustainable development goals that we want to address before the president steps out of office. So we want to make sure that it’s a whole-of-nation approach, and we’re in the private sector’s broadband,” Gatchalian pointed out.
He expressed the agency’s gratitude to organizations donating their surplus food, but noted the need to encourage more partners to bring food to the soup kitchen.
“That’s what I was saying a while ago, that we need to encourage the private sector, our social welfare and development agencies, to help us in fighting scourges such as poverty, hunger,” Gatchalian said.
The Walang Gutom Kitchen aims to assist street people and those experiencing involuntary hunger through the donations from hotels, restaurants, and other establishments.
“Involuntary hunger happens to a million Filipino families and what’s important is that they know where they can access free food that are both healthy and delicious,” Gatchalian said.
