Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin has lauded the implementation of Food Stamp Program (FSP) of the administration of President Marcos, saying it would ensure that every poor family will have something on the table.
“The good thing is that this program was started under the PBBM administration because it has been a long time since we have been complaining about having a food stamp program, and now it has been implemented,” Garin said in Filipino.
She also said the program would not only alleviate the plight of Filipino families, but also help farmers and small entrepreneurs as the aid that would be given will be only purchased from accredited retailers.
The program aims to reduce the incidence of hunger experienced by low-income households by providing monetary-based assistance through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that can be used to purchase select food items from eligible partner merchant store.
Meanwhile, Garin said the program might not be enough at present, but it would possibly increase to provide greater assistance to Filipino families.
“In other words, it is just one component of the whole big buy of public services. If we look, there will be more job opportunities, there will be more help,” she said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will fully implement the program starting this July, six months after its successful pilot implementation in some parts of the country.
Marcos earlier signed Executive Order No. 44, establishing DSWD’s flagship program—Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program.