The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday reaffirmed its commitment to work toward President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s birthday wish for a Philippines free from hunger, as the agency joined the celebration of his 68th birthday by serving clients at the Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK).

Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the DSWD would continue to push forward with initiatives that ensure food security for poor families.

“At patuloy tayong magkatrabaho para masiguro natin na ang birthday wish ng ating Pangulo para sa taong bayan ay makamit natin – na walang gutom na pamilyang Pilipino (We will continue to ensure that our President’s birthday wish for the people is fulfilled – that no Filipino family will go hungry),” Gatchalian said as he served hot meals to WGK clients.

He noted that the President aspires to expand the initiative further.

“Tandaan ninyo, ang pangarap ng ating Pangulo ay maparami pa ang ganitong mga pasilidad na soup kitchen para wala nang pamilyang Pilipino na magugutom (It is the President’s aspiration to have more soup kitchens and similar facilities so that no Filipino family will go hungry),” he said.

Gatchalian also cited the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results, commissioned by Globe Telecom and Monde Nissin, showing the impact of the Walang Gutom Program (WGP) in addressing involuntary hunger in line with the President’s directive.

The SWS survey showed that the incidence of hunger among WGP beneficiaries in 10 regions and 22 provinces dropped by 7.2 percent from October 2024 to March 2025.

During the celebration, families and individuals enjoyed a special meal of lechon and birthday cake sent by President Marcos himself, according to Gatchalian. (PNA)