President Marcos Champions Hunger Relief, Visits Walang Gutom Kitchen to Support Indigent Families

One year after its establishment, the Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK) in Pasay City marked a significant milestone with a visit from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on December 17, 2025. Joined by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the President personally engaged with indigent families benefiting from the program, which is part of the Pag-Abot initiative dedicated to alleviating hunger and promoting social reintegration.

During the visit, President Marcos distributed special holiday gift boxes and shared meals with walk-in beneficiaries, who were served a festive menu featuring spaghetti, fried chicken, lumpiang shanghai, hotdogs, and fruits. The WGK provides hot and fresh meals daily to approximately 700 individuals, operating without any prior registration to ensure accessibility for all who need assistance.

"Naka isang taon na o one-year anniversary ng Walang Gutom Kitchen. Ibig sabihin kung kada araw, 700 katao ang napapakain natin dito—mga nagugutom natin ng kababayan—one year na natin ginagawa yun, mula almusal hanggang tanghalian," stated Secretary Gatchalian. He further emphasized the kitchen's role in food waste reduction by utilizing surplus donations from fast food chains, hotels, and organizations like the Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Philippines.

President Marcos conducted a thorough inspection of the facility housed in the Nasdake Building, formerly a POGO hub. He lauded the commitment of the WGK staff and volunteers operating even during holidays, reinforcing the administration's dedication to ending hunger nationwide.

Highlighting the unity of effort, Secretary Gatchalian urged the public to volunteer their time, stating, "Kung naghahanap kayo ng makabuluhang pagtulong ngayong Pasko, welcome kayo dito sa kitchen para mag-service. Hindi kailangan magdala ng pagkain. Magdadala kayo, tatanggapin namin. Pero pag oras lang ang kaya nyo, the best gift this Christmas is the gift of time. Mag-volunteer kayo dito sa Walang Gutong Kitchen."

Looking ahead, President Marcos unveiled plans to replicate and expand the Pag-Abot Program and the Walang Gutom Kitchen services beyond Metro Manila to reach marginalized communities across the country. This initiative aims to simultaneously combat hunger, homelessness, and social exclusion by providing direct service delivery and fostering reintegration opportunities.

Guided by the message: "Reliable care. Tireless presence. No Filipino is invisible," President Marcos reaffirms his resolve as the "Tireless Caregiver of the Marginalized," reflecting his Maasahan at Masipag leadership style. He reiterated his dream and commitment: "My birthday wish and my administration's dream is that no Filipino should ever go hungry after my term."

The Walang Gutom Kitchen remains open through the holiday season, except on December 25 and January 1, offering continuous support to vulnerable families. The DSWD encourages citizens to participate in this shared mission to eradicate hunger and uplift the dignity of every Filipino.

For interested volunteers, registration is open through the official DSWD portal and on-site at the Nasdake Building, FB Harrison, Pasay City.

This milestone reaffirms the administration's commitment to ending hunger once and for all, making the Walang Gutom Kitchen a beacon of hope and a testament to tireless public service.