President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. has reaffirmed the national government's commitment to fighting hunger and malnutrition through its nutrition action plan.
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, July 22, the President announced the expansion of the Walang Gutom 2027 program, with the goal of reaching 300,000 food-poor households by year-end.
This initiative builds on the success of the expanded school-based feeding program, which has significantly improved the well-being of more than half of its beneficiaries.
The government plans to further enhance these programs in schools and daycare centers.
Initially launched in 2023 to support 200,000 households, the food stamp program aims to assist one million of the most food-poor Filipinos by 2027.
Addressing malnutrition, the administration proposed a new grant under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the 2025 national budget.
This grant is designed to support the health and nutrition of children in their first two years, providing additional financial aid to pregnant mothers and young children.
President Marcos highlighted the country's progress in reducing poverty, with the rate dropping to 15.5 percent in 2023 from 18 percent in 2021, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
This reduction has lifted nearly 2.5 million Filipinos out of poverty and decreased the number of food-insecure individuals by over one million.
Photo courtesy: Presidentia Communications Office Website
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews #SONA2024 #PBBMsWarOnMalnutrition