Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency’s Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK) is open to all public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers to help them amid the energy emergency affecting their livelihood.
“Since nagsimula itong energy emergency na ito, binuksan din natin ito para sa ating mga drivers, lalo yung mga jeepney drivers natin na nag-o-operate sa area. Alam naman natin na kahit papaano, yung isa o dalawang kain sa isang araw, ay matitipid nila iyon kung dito sila kumain (Since this national emergency started, we opened the WGK for our drivers, especially the jeepney drivers operating in the area. We all know that they can save one or two meals a day if they eat here),” Gatchalian said Thursday during his visit at the WGK with PUV drivers and transport association leaders.
The DSWD chief said the initiative is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to help the transport sector ensure that their essential needs are met in this time of emergency.
“Utos ng Pangulo na pagaanin ang gastusin at masigurong may sapat at masustansyang pagkain ang mga apektadong driver (It is the directive of the President to mitigate the expenses of affected drivers and ensure that they have nutritious food),” Gatchalian added.
Since its launch in 2024, the WGK has provided free and nutritious hot meals to individuals experiencing involuntary hunger. The kitchen is open daily, including holidays, offering breakfast and lunch.
“Open ito para sa lahat. Kahit sino ay maaaring pumunta at kumain anumang oras sa loob ng (This is open for everyone. Everybody can come here and eat anytime within the) operating hours,” the DSWD chief said.
He also announced plans to expand the program, with a new WGK set to open in Cebu and another being eyed in Zamboanga City.
Gatchalian said the agency has partnered with Rural Rising Philippines, a non-government organization that sources agricultural produce directly from farmers at fair prices.
Through the partnership, vegetables that might go to waste due to high transport costs are redistributed to beneficiaries of the WGK, including PUV drivers.
“Ngayong araw ay sinimulan na yung partnership na yon, nagbigay sila ng gulay ngayon, at sa mga darating na araw ay bibili naman ang DSWD sa kanila (The partnership started today, they gave vegetables today, and we will purchase from them in the coming days),” Gatchalian said.
Rizalino Villaraza, president of the United Twelve Corporation, said the DSWD is the first government agency that helped the transportation sector after the energy emergency.
“Kayo po ang kauna-unahang departamento na sumaklolo sa amin. Malaki po ang aming pasasalamat na kami ay naimbitahan dito at napakalaking ginhawa para aming mga driver-operator ng mga UV express na bumibiyahe since 1995 to present (You were the first department that helped us. We are very grateful that you invited us here and it is a big relief for us drivers and operators of UV Express who have been plying our routes since 1995),” Villaraza said.
“Nararamdaman namin na yung binubuwis namin ay binabalik sa amin ng gobyerno. Kaya maraming salamat po sa ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., lalong-lalo na kay Secretary Rex Gatchalian (We feel that our taxes are being returned to us by the government. We are very grateful to President Marcos and especially to Secretary Gatchalian),” he added. (PNA)
