The government's food stamp program is now officially a flagship project under Executive Order 44, Malacañang said on Sunday.

Signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the EO tasked the Department of Social Welfare and Development to lead the national government's "Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program."

Malacañang, nonetheless, ordered other national government agencies and local government units to help DSWD ensure the program's smooth implementation. Among DSWD's tasks is identifying eligible beneficiaries.

Under the program, the DSWD will give out electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, cards with P3,000 worth of food credits every month. These cards can be used to buy certain foods from DSWD-registered or accredited stores.

The Palace also told DSWD to craft the implementing rules of the EO within 30 days of its effectivity. The program's funding will come from the budget of DSWD and its partner agencies.

According to the PCO, the food stamp program is in line with the country's goal to achieve by 2030 the United Nations' second Sustainable Development Goal, which is to end hunger, gain food security, better nutrition, and support sustainable agriculture.

The program also supports the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and the administration's Eight-Point Socioeconomic Agenda to ensure Filipinos have access to safe and healthy food.

The food stamp program derives from the 4Ps program, known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a conditional cash transfer program that provided financial assistance to the poorest of the poor families in the country.

Under the 4Ps, the grant amount depends on the number of children in the family and their ages. In addition to the cash grant, 4Ps beneficiaries also have access to other government programs and services, such as the National Health Insurance Program and the Enhanced Basic Education Act.