Beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) and the Walang Gutom Program in the Bicol Region continue to receive cash and food assistance aimed at easing the burden of vulnerable households amid rising costs of basic commodities.

In an interview, DSWD-Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio said the Walang Gutom Program seeks to reduce involuntary hunger and food insecurity among low-income households by providing PHP3,000 worth of monthly food credits through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, while promoting healthier food choices through its Kalusugan, Kakayahan at Kabuhayan sessions.

“Beneficiaries may use their monthly food credits to purchase nutritious food items from accredited partner retailers, including rice, vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, eggs, and other approved food products under the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s Go, Grow and Glow food groups,” he said.

As of the latest Food Redemption Monitoring report, the Walang Gutom Program has 63,753 beneficiaries in Bicol, consisting of 24,636 in Camarines Sur, 11,538 in Masbate, 9,915 in Sorsogon, 9,341 in Albay, 6,493 in Camarines Norte and 1,830 in Catanduanes.

“The DSWD implements several safeguards to ensure the proper use of EBT cards, including digital transaction monitoring, accreditation and monitoring of partner merchants, restriction of purchases to approved nutritious food items, and regular field monitoring and validation,” he said.

In a redemption on Friday, Lorna Agripa Zamora, 52, a solo parent, said the PHP2,000 cash assistance she received under the UPLIFT program will be used for her four children’s school needs, particularly allowances and uniforms as classes resume.

“I am deeply grateful because I was chosen to receive the assistance. Not everyone can be accommodated, so I am very happy to be among those who benefited. Thank you very much, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., for providing this kind of assistance,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dolores Diocariza, 56, from Rawis, Legazpi City, a beneficiary of both Walang Gutom and UPLIFT programs, said the monthly food credits have eased the burden of feeding her family, especially with the continued increase in rice prices.

“I am very grateful to have been included in the Walang Gutom Program. It has been a huge help to my family, especially during times when we need it the most, particularly now that the price of rice has increased,” she said.

Laurio said the Walang Gutom program is implemented in a way that allows beneficiaries to choose nutritious food for their families, promoting both food security and respect for the beneficiaries’ dignity.

To ensure the proper use of assistance, Laurio said all purchases made through EBT cards are digitally recorded and monitored. (PNA)