The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Caraga (DSWD-13) has recently confirmed 1,653 new beneficiaries from Surigao del Norte for the ‘Walang Gutom’ program, as announced on Thursday. Each of these beneficiaries has been equipped with Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, pre-loaded with PHP3,000 in food credits, distributed over a two-day event from Tuesday to Wednesday.
These EBT cards are designed to be used at designated partner merchants of DSWD, where beneficiaries can purchase food items that are high in nutrition. The food items are carefully selected to provide a balanced diet, consisting of 50 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein, and 20 percent fiber.
The ‘Walang Gutom’ program, according to DSWD-13, is focused on ensuring families have access to nutritious food to enhance their overall well-being. The program is structured differently from traditional aid programs, requiring beneficiaries to fulfill certain conditions to maintain their eligibility. These conditions include participating in monthly nutrition education sessions aimed at promoting healthy eating habits and learning how to cook nutritious meals.
Additionally, beneficiaries are encouraged to engage in government-led employment initiatives, such as job fairs and skills training programs provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, to further support their economic independence.