Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday (December 16) said the agency’s newest convergence initiative, the Walang Gutom Kitchen, will help minimize food wastage in the country.

“This Walang Gutom Kitchen is a food bank kung saan ang private sector at ang public sector ay magsasanib pwersa para mabawasan ang wastage ng pagkain at matugunan ang problema ng kagutuman sa Metro Manila at later on, when we expand this type of food banks, nationwide,” the DSWD chief told reporters on the sidelines of the project’s launch at the Nasdake Building, FB Harrison in Pasay City.

Secretary Gatchalian underscored that the Walang Gutom Kitchen will adhere to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9803 or the Food Donation Act of 2009 in creating measures to encourage the donation of wholesome food for charitable purposes.

“Ang plano natin is to expand it later on and open more of its branches so that yung mga kababayan natin na nasa pribadong sektor na may excess na pagkain, pwede nilang maibaba rito sa Walang Gutom Kitchen para yung mga nagugutom nating mga kababayan, pwedeng-pwedeng pumunta rito anytime para makakuha ng libreng pagkain,” Secretary Gatchalian explained to reporters who covered the event.

The Walang Gutom Kitchen, which is located at the former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub later repurposed by the DSWD, also features the convergence of the three innovative programs of the agency. These are the Pag-Abot Program, Walang Gutom Program, and the Tara Basa! Tutoring Program.

Clients who were reached out through the Pag-Abot Program or those who are walk-ins in the hub will be provided with food and other basic necessities upon the assessment of social workers.

The Walang Gutom Kitchen will also facilitate individualized case management of clients including assessment, intervention, planning and progress tracking of homeless individuals for their development.

Through the establishment of Tara, Basa! reading corners, clients will be able to access learning and developmental interventions such as parenting education and character-building activities that will be held in the multipurpose facility.

“Sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin na gustong tumulong sa ating mga kababayan na nagugutom…we will take on any type of food donation and drinks donation, whether gusto mo na own personal capacity or nagkataon na may negosyo ka at may sumobrang pagkain, basta galing sa pribadong sektor, alinsunod na rin sa batas, tatanggapin namin iyan para ipakain at ipamahagi araw-araw sa mga nagugutom nating mga kababayan,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.

The launching of the Walang Gutom Kitchen was attended by First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos, who joined Secretary Gatchalian and private sector partners in distributing hot meals to the kitchen’s beneficiaries.

Other officials who attended the Walang Gutom Kitchen launch were Pasay City Mayor Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano, Undersecretary for Operations Group Pinky Romualdez, Undersecretary for Innovations Group Eduardo Punay, Asst. Secretary for Innovations Group Baldr Bringas, and Asst. Secretary for Regional Operations Paul Ledesma. # (AKDL)

Tagalog Version

Walang Gutom Kitchen, tugon sa mga nasasayang na pagkain- DSWD chief

Inihayag ni Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian na makakatulong ang Walang Gutom Kitchen, para mabawasan ang pagkasayang ng pagkain sa bansa.

“This Walang Gutom Kitchen is a food bank kung saan ang private sector at ang public sector ay magsasanib pwersa para mabawasan ang wastage ng pagkain at matugunan ang problema ng kagutuman sa Metro Manila at later on, when we expand this type of food banks, nationwide,” sabi ni DSWD Secretary Gatchalian sa panayam ng mamamahayag sa ginanap na launching ng Walang Gutom Kitchen sa Nasdake Building, FB Harrison sa Pasay City.

Binigyang diin Secretary Gatchalian na ang Walang Gutom Kitchen ay susunod pa rin sa mga probisyon na nakasaad sa Republic Act No. 9803 o ang Food Donation Act of 2009.

“Ang plano natin is to expand it later on and open more of its branches so that yung mga kababayan natin na nasa pribadong sektor na may excess na pagkain, pwede nilang maibaba rito sa Walang Gutom Kitchen para yung mga nagugutom nating mga kababayan, pwedeng-pwedeng pumunta rito anytime para makakuha ng libreng pagkain,” sabi pa ni Secretary Gatchalian.

Ang Walang Gutom Kitchen, na matatagpuan sa dating Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub at ngayon ay ginagamit ng DSWD para sa iba pang mga program anito tulad ng Pag-Abot Program, Walang Gutom Program, at Tara Basa! Tutoring Program.

Ang mga clients na natulungan ng Pag-Abot Program at maging ang mga walk-ins ay mabibigyan ng pagkain at iba pang basic necessities. Ang mga kliyente ay dadaan pa din sa assessment ng mga social workers.

Ang Walang Gutom Kitchen ay makapagpapabilis din sa case management ng mga clients kabilang na ang assessment, intervention, planning at progress tracking ng mga homeless individuals.

“Sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin na gustong tumulong sa ating mga kababayan na nagugutom…we will take on any type of food donation and drinks donation, whether gusto mo na own personal capacity or nagkataon na may negosyo ka at may sumobrang pagkain, basta galing sa pribadong sektor, alinsunod na rin sa batas, tatanggapin namin iyan para ipakain at ipamahagi araw-araw sa mga nagugutom nating mga kababayan,” paglilinaw pa ni Secretary Gatchalian.

Ang launching ng Walang Gutom Kitchen ay dinaluhan ni First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos, kabilang si Secretary Gatchalian at ilang private sector partners. Namahagi din ng hot meals para sa mga kitchen beneficiaries.

Dumalo din sa event ang iba pang opisyal kabilang sina Pasay City Mayor Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano, Undersecretary for Operations Group Pinky Romualdez, Undersecretary for Innovations Group Eduardo Punay, Asst. Secretary for Innovations Group Baldr Bringas, at Asst. Secretary for Regional Operations Paul Ledesma. # (MVC)