‘Walang Gutom’ program: Marcos administration ambitiously targets zero food poverty

The Marcos administration has set a clear and ambitious target: by the end of the President’s term in 2028, no Filipino family should go hungry, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said Saturday.

Gatchalian made the statement in an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on July 25, as part of the DZRH SONA 2026 Series.

Philippine poverty incidence has already fallen from 27.6% in the first semester of 2015 to 15.5% today, meaning roughly 18 million Filipinos are now classified as poor, down from about 21 million when the Marcos administration began.

“Ang poverty incidence natin ngayon nasa 15.5% na lang. Nagsimula ang ating Pangulo, mga nasa 20 million ‘yan, 21 million,” Gatchalian said.

Of the 18 million poor Filipinos, about 750,000 families fall into the most severe category, the food-poor, those earning less than 9,000 pesos per month and unable to meet even basic food needs.

“Ang food-poor families natin ayon sa talaan nung 2023 ng DepDev ay nasa 750,000 na pamilya. One hungry family is one too many hungry family,” Gatchalian said.

He said the President’s goal is to eliminate this number entirely by 2028, describing it as a manageable challenge given its scale.

“750,000, it’s a manageable number. Let’s make sure na mawala na ‘yan. Dapat wala nang magsasabing gutom sila,” Gatchalian said.

He said the program comes with conditions designed to produce lasting behavioral change, not permanent dependency on government aid.

Beneficiaries are required to attend nutrition development sessions where they learn what constitutes healthy, affordable, and nutritious food, coordinated with the Department of Health.

“Para ‘pag tapos na sila sa programa, kasi lahat ng programa natin may ending, wala namang forever, marunong na sila magtakda ng tamang pagkain sa kanilang mga tahanan,” Gatchalian said.

He warned that poor nutrition has long-term consequences including diabetes and stunting among children, and that the behavioral change component is as important as the food aid itself.

Beneficiaries are also required to undergo skills training through TESDA and DOLE, with the goal of making them employable and financially independent once they leave the program.

“Partner naman natin ang TESDA at DOLE, tini-training ‘tong mga ‘to sa mga bagong skills itong mga beneficiary natin, para ngayon na hindi ka na gutom, ang isang kondisyon, magtrabaho ka rin,” Gatchalian said.

He said the President’s birthday wish this year remained the same as it has been since his campaign: that when he leaves office, no Filipino family should still be going hungry.

“Sinisigurado ng ating Presidente na patungo sa 2028 pagkatapos niya sa kanyang panunungkulan, dapat wala nang Pilipinong gutom,” Gatchalian said.