President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday personally served meals to beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK) in Pasay City, marking his first visit to the facility since the feeding program was launched.
Arriving just after 11 a.m. at the Nasdake Building on Williams Street, President Marcos was greeted by DSWD beneficiaries—many of whom are homeless and experiencing involuntary hunger. Wearing the signature red cap and apron of WGK volunteers, the President went straight to the kitchen counter and helped distribute meals consisting of rice, meat, noodles, soup, vegetables, and fruits.
The President was joined by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, DSWD Undersecretary for Innovations Edu Punay, and Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano. After serving food, he toured the facility to observe how beneficiaries access the program’s services.
In a lighthearted moment, the beneficiaries sang “Happy Birthday” to the President, who celebrated his special day with them. The DSWD presented him with a blue birthday cake bearing the Walang Gutom Program and SWS Hunger Tracker logos and the message, “Happy Birthday, Mr. President, from the DSWD Family.” Marcos sliced the cake, shared it with the beneficiaries, and distributed cupcakes and other treats.
The Pasay WGK, which opened on December 16, 2024, is the first of its kind under the DSWD’s Walang Gutom program. It serves breakfast and lunch daily to around 600 people, operating from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Sunday. The kitchen aims to provide nutritious meals, promote the importance of nutrition in human development, and facilitate case management for individuals and families in street situations, in line with Republic Act No. 9803 or the Food Donation Act of 2009.
The WGK targets children, individuals, and families living on the streets or experiencing involuntary hunger, offering both regular beneficiaries and walk-in clients a reliable source of daily nourishment. First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos led the initial volunteer feeding activity during the kitchen’s launch last year.
With reports from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
