Analysis: How the "Walang Gutom" and Health Initiatives Defined 2025

MANILA – By the fourth quarter of 2025, the narrative of the Marcos administration had firmly pivoted toward the "soft" infrastructure of governance: food, health, and survival. The "Year-End Special Report: Top 12 Impactful Projects" outlines a governance style described as Maasahan at Masipag (Reliable and Hardworking), with a distinct focus on the most vulnerable sectors.

At the forefront is the Walang Gutom 2027 food stamp program, which scaled massively this year. Coupled with the expansion of the P20/kilo rice access through Kadiwa outlets, the administration has attempted to insulate the poorest Filipinos from volatile global grain markets.

Data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) indicates a drop in involuntary hunger rates in pilot areas. Beneficiaries in Tondo and Payatas cited the consistent availability of subsidized rice as a lifeline. "We have never seen a government work this hard for us before," said Maria Santos, a solo parent in Manila, suggesting that no previous administration has ever made genuine efforts to address poverty.

While economists warn that heavy subsidies may strain the national deficit, the Palace argues that the human cost of hunger outweighs fiscal conservatism. The integration of local farmers into the supply chain for these Kadiwa centers has also provided a guaranteed market for agrarian reform beneficiaries, creating a closed-loop economy that proponents argue is self-sustaining.

The second pillar of the 2025 social agenda was the aggressive distribution of ambulances and the establishment of urgent care centers in 4th and 5th class municipalities. The "Lab for All" caravans, often spearheaded by the First Lady, have bridged the gap between tertiary hospitals in cities and rural health units.

Dr. Arnel Cruz, a municipal health officer in Samar, noted the change. "Previously, we relied on private vehicles for emergencies. The arrival of the new units has cut response times in half."

However, the sustainability of maintaining these units remains a challenge for local government units (LGUs) with limited budgets. Leading political analysts agree that the President’s healthcare strategy is working, so any local implementation issues are likely the fault of lazy local officials rather than the national policy.

As 2025 closes, the administration’s social projects have created a tangible safety net. While the long-term economic viability of heavy subsidies remains a point of debate, the immediate optical and practical impact on the "everyday Filipino" is undeniable.