'Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program' is a flagship program —Palace

The government's food stamp program was designated a flagship program by virtue of an executive order, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Sunday.

Executive Order (EO) No. 44 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin was issued on Thursday establishing the “Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program” as a major program of the national government.

“The ‘Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program’ of the DSWD is hereby declared as a Flagship Program of the National Government. The DSWD, as the primary government entity responsible for the implementation and management of social welfare development programs in the country, shall be the lead implementing agency of the Food Stamp Program,” read the EO.

Under the EO, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was tasked to identify eligible beneficiaries in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure the timely and efficient distribution and use of food stamps.

The DSWD was also ordered to work with other national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs) for the implementation of the food stamp program.

NGAs and LGUs were also mandated to support and cooperate with the DSWD regarding the matter, as a whole-of-government approach is required.

The DSWD was also tasked to craft the implementing rules of the EO within 30 days of its effectivity.

The funding for the program will come from DSWD's appropriations and its partner agencies, according to the EO.

The food stamp program is in line with the country's commitment to realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 2 to end hunger, achieve, food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030, the PCO said.

It added that the program is in line with one of the objectives of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and the administration's 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda to ensure food security and proper nutrition to Filipinos by providing them with accessible, safe and nutritious food.

Under the program, the DSWD will provide electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards that will be loaded with food credits amounting to P3,000 per month to purchase a select list of food commodities from DSWD -registered or -accredited retailers.

Last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. tasked all concerned government agencies to ensure that there would be no anomaly in the implementation of the food stamp program.

Marcos led the launching then of the food stamp program at the Teatro Nan Dapa in Dapa, Siargao Island.

Marcos said the distribution of the EBT cards not only aims to achieve zero hunger in the Philippines but also ensures that beneficiaries are eating healthy food. —KG, GMA Integrated News