June 26, 2024 - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. awarded outstanding local government units (LGUs) for their initiatives against hunger and malnutrition in a ceremony held today, June 26, 2024, at the Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace.
The awarding ceremony recognized winners of the Walang Gutom Awards (WGA), a joint project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Galing Pook Foundation (GPF). The WGA honors LGUs with exemplary programs on food security, aiming to inspire replication of successful strategies across the country.
"The Walang Gutom Awards serve a crucial role in our fight to eradicate involuntary hunger by 2027," President Marcos Jr. said in a statement. "By recognizing these outstanding LGUs, we can learn from their successes and work together to ensure all Filipinos have access to sufficient and nutritious food."
Ten LGUs received recognition and a significant funding boost of PhP2 million each from the DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to further develop their community projects. These winning programs were chosen based on their impact on food security and nutrition, community participation, innovation, long-term sustainability, and efficient service delivery.
The WGA serves as a beacon of hope in the Philippines' ongoing battle against hunger. By recognizing and supporting successful local initiatives, the national government empowers LGUs to create lasting solutions for food security and a brighter future for Filipino communities.