Over 2,000 households in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, availed of foodstuffs under the Walang Gutom 2027 program, a key initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development to combat hunger and poverty.
The program was officially launched Dec. 9 at Brgy. 4 covered court, with initial beneficiaries of 756 households from barangays 1-6, Buluangan, Rizal, Guadalupe, San Juan, and Ermita receiving assistance.
It will continue until Dec. 12 to complete the distribution.
The program focuses on reducing involuntary hunger among low-income households by providing food credit assistance.
Beneficiaries receive P3,000 monthly in the form of an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which they will use to purchase selected food commodities from eligible partner merchant stores, the city said.
DSWD Region 6 compliance and verification officer Jewel Goldamir Macayan said that beneficiaries classified as food poor and non-members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program will enjoy this assistance for three years.
CSWDO social worker Kimberly Panuelo explained that households were selected through the DSWD’s National Household Targeting System (Listahanan) and validated before receiving their food credits.
The Business Permit and Licensing Office, meanwhile, screened eligible food merchant stores and introduced them to the program before they were selected to provide food supplies.
The city government thanked the DSWD for supporting vulnerable sectors, noting that while the assistance may seem modest, it also brings significant relief, especially during a crisis.
Criselda Salipdan, 41, from Sitio Medina, Brgy. Rizal, said she is thankful to be selected as a beneficiary, as it eased the burden of providing daily sustenance for her family; she said she hopes to benefit from more government programs in the future.
Retailer Jeanna Marie Caballes of Brgy. Rizal said the program has helped small sari-sari store owners like her earn additional income while providing essential goods to the community.
She also looks forward to further government opportunities that could benefit local store owners. ||
