MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday doubled down on his administration’s ambitious goal to eliminate hunger among Filipinos by 2028, using a community visit in Zamboanga City to underscore the government’s expanding food security and social protection programs.
Addressing members of the Sama Bajau community in Barangay Sinunuc, Marcos emphasized that the drive to end hunger remains a cornerstone of his administration. He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) food stamp initiative is designed precisely to meet this commitment.
Referring to the “Walang Gutom” Program, Marcos told beneficiaries: “‘Yun po ay programa ko po ‘yan dahil ang pangarap ko na pagkatapos na ako mag-Presidente, wala nang gutom na Pilipino.”
The Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program — identified as a flagship effort — seeks to cut involuntary hunger and malnutrition by enabling eligible households to buy nutritious food items from accredited retailers. The DSWD aims to enroll 600,000 households this year, with support from a recently approved $400-million loan from the Asian Development Bank.
During the service caravan, the President also witnessed the turnover of 10 boats to the Maasin Fisherfolk Association and the distribution of medical and livelihood assistance to residents.
Marcos stressed that taking government services directly to underserved areas is essential to ensuring equitable access.
“Dahil kung minsan, kapag… ang gobyerno ay naghihintay lang na kayo ang lumapit, hindi naman namin naseserbisan kayong lahat. Hindi namin kayo natutulungan lahat,” he said.
“Kaya’t ang ginawa namin, kami na lang ang pupunta. Ang gobyerno ang pupunta sa inyo para makapag-register kayo,” Marcos added./PN
