In a significant effort to combat hunger, the ‘Walang Gutom’ or Zero Hunger initiative has provided food assistance to 1,356 residents of Surigao del Norte. The distribution took place from January 9 to 13, 2025, as reported by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Caraga (DSWD-13). Each beneficiary was given food packages valued at PHP3,000, designed to support balanced nutrition with ‘Go, Grow, and Glow’ food items.
The program covered a wide area, reaching residents in the mainland municipalities of Mainit, Alegria, Bacuag, Placer, Claver, Gigaquit, Tagana-an, Sison, Malimono, and San Francisco, along with Surigao City. On Siargao Island, the initiative extended to Del Carmen, San Benito, Pilar, General Luna, Socorro, and Dapa.
DSWD-13 emphasized that the ‘Walang Gutom’ program is crucial for ensuring families have access to nutritious meals, paving the way for a healthier future. The program was officially launched in the Caraga Region by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Siargao Island on September 29, 2023.
In preparation for further distributions, DSWD-13 validated an additional 1,500 beneficiaries in Surigao del Norte in December 2024, focusing on those not covered by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.