The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol concluded the 2nd Redemption Day for the 190 beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program (FSP) in Garchitorena, Camarines Sur from March 6 to 7. 

Beneficiaries from various barangays of Garchitorena have purchased healthy food items from DSWD-registered or -accredited retailers using their Electric Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards loaded with PHP 3,000.00 worth of food credits.

To ensure that beneficiaries are eating a variety of healthy food, the food credits were allocated for the three (3) food groups comprised of 50% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 20% fiber. 

Prior the redemption of food credits, the DSWD personnel facilitated the Nutrition Education Session, one of the components of the program which aims to provide knowledge to the beneficiaries on how to prepare healthy and nutritious meals for their families.

“Since the program aims to achieve the holistic nutrition of Filipino households, the monthly Nutrition Education Session is a vital component of the program to ensure that beneficiaries have knowledge in making healthy food choices,” DSWD Regional Director Norman S. Laurio said. 

RD Laurio also highlighted those local retailers and farmers will also benefit from the program as it provides profitability and business growth. 

The FSP was established as a flagship program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration which seeks to address nutritional issues and reduce the prevalence of involuntary hunger by increasing the availability and accessibility of nutritious food for low-income households. 

Garchitorena is one of the five (5) pilot sites nationwide with ongoing implementation of the program.