DSWD-C. Visayas, local retailers join forces to combat hunger
2024-Jul-17 07:00
ANTI-HUNGER. Some of the families undergoing assessment in Alangalang, Leyte for the "Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program" in this undated photo. The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Central Visayas on Monday (July 15, 2024) signed a deal with local retailers for the program implementation in the region. (DSWD Region 8)
MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 (DSWD-Central Visayas) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with local retailers for the implementation of the "Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program (FSP)" in the region.
Field Office-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero signed the agreement with representatives of retailers from the Cordova Multi-Purpose Cooperative and RC Family Grocery Store in Cordova, Cebu on Monday.
Simultaneously, a similar MOA was signed by Lucero with Honey's Agrivet and General Merchandize, NENAFA, LMPC, CJM Minimart and Jera's Grocery Store in Mabinay, Negros Oriental.
"These collaborations and leveraging of the established network and resources of retail partners pave the way for a more efficient and wider-reaching "Walang Gutom" program," Lucero said in a news release on Tuesday.
The partner-retailers will supply the food packages to the FSP beneficiaries during the redemption days, she added.
The first redemption period of food packages will be on July 18 to 20 in the municipality of Cordova in Cebu with 159 registered beneficiaries and in Mabinay town in Negros Oriental with 773 registered recipients.
"We laud the Field Office-7 for this new development that will ensure the success of the program in the region," DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said.
"The DSWD prioritizes local retailers in its implementation of the FSP. We assist them by linking them to established markets, such as the FSP beneficiaries. Through this, we are able to assist not only the beneficiaries, but also local business owners," she added.
The FSP is a priority program of the Marcos administration that provides beneficiaries with access to monetary-based assistance and nutrition education to teach them how to prepare healthy and safe meals for the family.
The FSP also invites beneficiaries to become productive citizens through skills training and participation in government-organized job fairs. (PNA)