The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday reported that a total of 533,613 households are now enrolled in the Walang Gutom Program (WGP), the agency’s flagship anti-hunger initiative.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the program initially covered 300,000 households last year and, based on data as of 15 January, is nearing its target of 600,000 beneficiaries.

“As of January 15, mayroon na tayong mahigit 533,000 na sambahayan na na-enroll sa ating WGP. Matatandaan na may nauna na tayong 300,000 households noong nakaraang taon at ngayon ay kinukumpleto naman natin ang ating target na 600,000 beneficiaries,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

Dumlao said the agency, through the WGP National and Regional Program Management Offices, is fast-tracking beneficiary enrollment through simultaneous verification and registration nationwide, prioritizing areas with high levels of involuntary hunger.

“Sa tulong ng ating mga Angels in Red Vests mula sa ating WGP-National and Regional Program Management Office, sabay-sabay tayong pumupunta sa mga rehiyon na may mataas na bilang ng involuntary hunger upang agad tayong makapag-enroll ng deserving at qualified na household beneficiaries,” she emphasized.

The DSWD projects that up to 750,000 households across 52 provinces will eventually be enrolled in the program. The agency reiterated its goal of ending involuntary hunger before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term in 2026.

“Matatandaan din natin na by batches ang pag-enroll natin sa WGP. Bago matapos ang termino na ating Pangulo ay wawakasan natin ang kagutuman, kasama ang ibang ahensya ng ating pamahalaan,” Dumlao said.

Launched in 2023 and institutionalized in 2024 under Executive Order No. 43, the WGP is the Marcos administration’s flagship program to address food insecurity.

Under the program, beneficiaries receive a monthly food credit worth P3,000 through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase approved food items from partner retailers.

On 13 January, DSWD Field Office 5 conducted verification and registration activities in Oas, Albay; Ragay, Baao, Buhi, Caramoan, Tinambac, and Presentacion in Camarines Sur; and Barcelona, Bulan, and Casiguran in Sorsogon.

Similar activities are ongoing in other regions, including Cagayan Valley, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, the Negros Island Region, and the National Capital Region.