📷SWS
Malacañang has rejected claims that there is a rising hunger in the Philippines, as it insists that government data proves food assistance programs are working.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, March 31, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro dismissed the SWS survey, showing that 27.2 percent of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger in the first quarter of the year.
SWS data showed that the number of families with nothing to eat at least once increased by 6.0 points from February 2025’s 21.2%, the highest recorded rate since the peak of 30.7% in September 2020.
While the government acknowledges the survey, Castro said further validation of the SWS survey is needed as the government only depended on the DSWD report on hunger in the Philippines.
“Actually, aaralin po iyan dahil po sa bagong report po ng DSWD, marami na po kasing programa na talaga pong pantawid-gutom,” Castro said.
“Unahin ko po ang programa ng DSWD na nagsisilbi po sa 300,000 food-poor households na may equivalent po na 1.5 million individuals – across the country po ito. Sila po ay binibigyan ng 3,000 pesos monthly as food aid.”
Castro further highlighted several initiatives of the DSWD aimed at addressing food insecurity, including the “Walang Gutom Kitchen” in Pasay City, which provides free hot meals to families, especially children and street dwellers.
“Maliban pa po diyan ay mayroon po ang DSWD na programa ito po iyong ‘Walang Gutom Project Kusinero Cook-off Challenge’ para po ma-improve iyong public nutrition,” she added. “At mayroon din po ang Walang Gutom Project that provides eligible families with electronic benefit transfer po – ito pong 3,000-peso monthly food credits.”
Malacañang said that government intervention programs are actively addressing the issue and will continue to do so.
“So, aaralin po natin kung saan nanggagaling itong mga sinasabi na nagugutom pa ang ibang mga kababayan natin at para malaman natin kung saang lugar ito at mayroon man pagkukulang ay maibsan po natin ang ganitong klaseng mga sitwasyon po,” Castro said. (TCSP)
