Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4039

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE WALANG GUTOM PROGRAM AS THE
GOVERNMENT’S FLAGSHIP FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVE, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The right to adequate food is a fundamental human right. Yet millions of Filipino
households continue to suffer from involuntary hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity. This
condition undermines human dignity, productivity, and social stability, and perpetuates the
cycle of poverty.

The Walang Gutom Program was conceived by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) to directly address involuntary hunger through food assistance and
nutrition interventions for the poorest households. Piloted as a food stamp and electronic
benefit transfer program, it has already demonstrated success in reducing hunger and
improving access to nutritious food.

This bill seeks to institutionalize Walang Gutom as the permanent flagship program of
the government for food security. It establishes the Walang Gutom Program not as a temporary
or supplemental initiative, but as the central platform for eradicating hunger nationwide.

‘The measure builds on the lessons of existing pilots, but leaves flexibility to the DSWD
to determine benefit levels, delivery modalities, and program innovations through policy and
implementing rules and regulations. In this way, Walang Gutom can adapt to changing
economic conditions, inflationary pressures, and the evolving needs of beneficiaries.

Importantly, the bill also makes clear that Walang Gutom is separate from, and not a
substitute for, existing social welfare programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program (4Ps) or the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens. Beneficiaries of these
programs are not disqualified from receiving Walang Gutom assistance. Hunger can persist
even among households receiving cash transfers; this measure ensures that food security is
addressed as a distinct but complementary priority.


‘The bill further requires strong convergence across government programs. The Walang

Gutom Program shall:

Converge with nutrition programs of the Department of Health (DOH) and the
National Nutrition Council (NNC) to combat malnutrition, stunting, and micronutrient
deficiencies;

. Link with agriculture programs of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to support

local farmers and fisherfolk, stabilize supply chains, and make food assistance pro-
farmer as well as pro-consumer;

. Complement education programs of the Department of Education (DepEd) by

integrating food assistance with school feeding and nutrition education, thereby
improving leaming outcomes; and

. Connect with livelihood and employment programs of the Technical Education and

Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help households transition
from food insecurity to sustainable self-sufficiency.

By institutionalizing the Walang Gutom Program, the Philippines takes a decisive step

toward ending involuntary hunger. It ensures continuity across administrations, provides
coherence to food security efforts, and aligns social protection with agricultural and human
development goals.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

RAY} ADRMMN SALCEDA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo.4039

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE WALANG GUTOM PROGRAM AS THE
GOVERNMENT’S FLAGSHIP FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVE, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the Walang Gutom Act of 2025.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to eradicate involuntary
hunger, ensure food security, and protect the right to adequate food as a matter of human
dignity. Toward this end, the State shall institutionalize a flagship national program to provide
food assistance to the poorest households, promote nutrition, and strengthen linkages with
agriculture, education, and livelihood.

SEC. 3. Institutionalization of the Walang Gutom Program. The Walang Gutom
Program is hereby institutionalized as the government's permanent flagship program to address
hunger and promote food security. It shall serve as the central platform for delivering direct
food assistance to poor households and linking such assistance with nutrition, livelihood,
agriculture, and education programs.

SEC. 4. Program Objectives. The Walang Gutom Program shall:

(a) Ensure that no Filipino household experiences involuntary hunger due to poverty or
lack of access to food;

(b) Deliver food assistance through efficient, transparent, and accountable mechanisms
such as electronic benefit transfers, vouchers, or other modalities as determined by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);

(c) Provide nutrition-sensitive interventions, including nutrition education, school
feeding linkages, and access to fortified and diverse foods;


(@ Strengthen partnerships with farmers, fisherfolk, and local food producers to
stabilize supply and support rural livelihoods;

(c) Complement food assistance with sustainable livelihood, employment, and skills
development opportunities; and

(f) Integrate with education initiatives to improve school attendance, reduce child
malnutrition, and support student learning outcomes.

SEC. 5. Core Program Components. The Walang Gutom Program shall consist of:

(a) Food Assistance to Poor Households — targeted distribution of electronic or in-kind
food assistance, with amounts and modalities to be determined by the DSWD subject to
appropriations and policy priorities;

(b) Nutrition Support — integration with the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and
Department of Health (DOH) programs to address malnutrition, stunting, and micronutrient
deficiencies;

(©) Agriculture and Supply Chain Linkages ~ convergence with the Department of
Agriculture (DA) to source from local farmers and fisherfolk, including Kadiwa outlets and
food-for-school programs;

(@) Education and School Feeding Linkages — coordination with the Department of
Education (DepEd) to align food assistance with school feeding programs and nutrition
education;

(e) Productivity and Livelihood Linkages — integration with the Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for skills training, jobs, and enterprise support;
and

() Monitoring and Accountability — use of digital systems, audits, and community
monitoring to ensure that food assistance reaches intended beneficiaries.

SEC. 6. Relationship with Other Social Welfare Programs. The Walang Gutom
Program shall be distinct from, and shall not replace or reduce, the benefits provided under the
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens,
or other social welfare programs administered by the government.

Eligibility for the Walang Gutom Program shall not be denied on the ground that a
household or individual is already a beneficiary of another social protection or welfare

program.

SEC. 7. Lead Implementing Agency. The Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) shall serve as the lead agency in implementing the Walang Gutom
Program, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Education
(DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), National Nutrition Council (NNC), Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and


Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA), and local government units (LGUs).

SEC. 8. Funding. The amount necessary to implement this Act shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) under the budget of the DSWD. Official
development assistance (ODA), grants, and partnerships may also be mobilized consistent with
the objectives of this Act.

SEC. 9. Role of Local Government Units. Local government units shall assist in
identifying beneficiaries, monitoring implementation, and integrating Walang Gutom projects
into their local development investment programs.

SEC. 10. Reporting. The DSWD shall submit to Congress an annual report on the
Walang Gutom Program, including coverage, geographic distribution, budget utilization,
nutrition and food security outcomes, and program evaluations.

SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, in consultation with concemed agencies and stakeholders,
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations.

SEC. 12. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional
or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause, All laws, decrees, executive orders, and administrative
issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 14, Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,