Homeless individuals, families in street situations, and other residents facing food insecurity now have access to free daily meals following the launch of the country’s second Walang Gutom Kitchen in Cebu City on Monday.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the facility at Pier 4 in Barangay Tejero, joined by Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian and local officials, marking the expansion of the government’s anti-hunger initiative in the Visayas.
During the visit, Marcos toured the facility, observed food preparation and distribution, and interacted with beneficiaries receiving meals under the program.
The Cebu City site is the second Walang Gutom Kitchen in the country, following the first facility launched in Pasay City in December 2024. It forms part of the Walang Gutom Program, a national anti-hunger initiative started in 2023 and institutionalized through Executive Order No. 44 in 2024.
Marcos reiterated his long-standing goal of eliminating hunger in the country.
“Wala nang gutom. Wala nang gutom na Pilipino. That is my dream, no hungry Filipino,” he said earlier.
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the kitchen is designed not only to provide immediate meals but also to function as a community services hub for individuals and families in vulnerable street situations.
The facility serves breakfast starting at 6 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m., accommodating around 200 to 250 individuals per meal, or until supplies last.
Beyond feeding operations, the center also provides case profiling, counseling, biometric registration, healthcare referrals, literacy support, and assistance for housing, legal, and reintegration needs.
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said the initiative is part of a broader effort to support long-term recovery for people living in the streets.
“Nalipay kaayo ko because duha na kabuwan gipaabot. Pagsabot namo sa DSWD mao gyud ni nga makatabang especially sa mga tawo nga naa sa kilid sa dalan,” he said.
He added that the City Council had already approved a memorandum of agreement with the DSWD prior to implementation.
Archival said the program is designed as a package of interventions that may include temporary shelter, access to services, and reintegration support such as possible return to provinces or livelihood opportunities.
“Ang idea ani kadaghanan sa atong mga tawo nga naa sa dalan, naa silay lugar asa sila makakaon,” he said.
He also said an area in Liloan has been identified for transitional support services under the program.
“So that is the package. Jumpstart sa bag-o nila nga kinabuhi,” Archival added.
The Walang Gutom Kitchen complements the broader Walang Gutom Program, which also provides eligible beneficiaries with P3,000 monthly food credits through electronic benefit transfer cards, along with nutrition education sessions.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development said local government partnerships remain key to ensuring the program reaches intended beneficiaries.
A proposed measure in Congress seeks to institutionalize the program as a permanent government initiative to strengthen food security and reduce hunger nationwide.
Photo courtesy of PCO
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