President Marcos launches food stamp program in Caraga

MANILA, Philippines — To boost the government’s “zero hunger” campaign, President Marcos launched on Friday the Food Stamp Program (FSP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Caraga region.

The FSP aims to decrease the incidence of involuntary hunger by improving the availability and accessibility of nutritious food for poor households while helping address nutritional concerns.

Marcos distributed electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards loaded with P3,000 worth of food credits to at least 50 beneficiaries at the Teatro Nan Dapa in Dapa in Siargao Island. The EBT cards can be used to buy food supplies.

“We are looking after, not only the amount of food that people are eating but also the nutritional value of what they are eating so we are able to monitor that so we can advise people on how to balance their diets,” Marcos said, adding that the program will soon be launched nationwide.

“Right now, I would have to say that it’s proceeding smoothly and we will be upscaling it within the next month or so. We are aiming at the next phase of this rollout. We are already looking to 30,000 families to be beneficiaries,” the President said.

Data from the DSWD showed that there are already 100 FSP beneficiaries nationwide since it was pilot-tested in Tondo, Manila on July 18.

In his speech during the distribution of EBT cards, Marcos also expressed his gratitude to international partners even as he vowed his administration would remain steadfast in creating more programs to alleviate the plight of the Filipino people.

“Rest assured that your investments in the Filipino people will bring about the progress and prosperity that we all aspire for,” he said.

Among those present at the distribution of EBT cards were Asian Development Bank country director Pavit Ramachandran, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel and United Nations resident coordinator Gustavo González.

“With your support, I am certain that we can empower even more disadvantaged Filipinos to rise up and make a different course for their future – a future without hunger,” Marcos said.

The President earlier stressed the FSP would not encourage dependence on government’s aid but was meant to improve the nutritional intake of poor Filipinos.

The concurrent agriculture secretary, Marcos aims to achieve zero hunger by the end of his term in 2028.