PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. has formalized the implementation of the Food Stamp Program (FSP) as a flagship program of the national government to address involuntary hunger, especially among low-income families.
The President, through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, signed Executive Order No. 44 on October 12 declaring the “Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program” of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as a national government program which requires a whole of government approach and enjoins local government units (LGUs) to participate in the program.
The DSWD, which remains to be the lead implementing agency of the program, was directed to take the necessary steps for the successful implementation and expansion of the program including, but not limited to, the identification of eligible beneficiaries and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure efficient and timely distribution and use of food stamps.
It shall also determine the appropriate staffing pattern and corresponding qualification standards for the creation of additional positions necessary for the administration and operation of the program, and to submit proposed changes in the organization structure and staffing pattern to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for review and approval.
It shall likewise promulgate the implementing rules for the FSP.
All other agencies of government, including LGUs, are mandated under the order to provide full support to, and cooperate with, the DSWD.
The DSWD, in July, started a six-month pilot implementation of the Food Stamp Program in Manila which provides poor households with P3,000 worth of nutritious food monthly. An Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is issued to the families that can be used to purchase select food commodities from eligible partner merchant stores. The government intends to cover one million poor households under the program.
President Marcos Jr. in September launched the pilot testing of the program in Siargao.
The implementation of the program is in line with the Philippines’ commitment to realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 2 of ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture by 2030.
One of the objectives of the administration, under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and eight-Point Socioeconomic Agenda is to ensure food security and proper nutrition in the country by providing accessible, safe, and nutritious food to all Filipinos.
