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A SURVEY FOUND IMPROVEMENT AMONG SAMPLED WALANG GUTOM BENEFICIARIES
A Social Weather Stations survey commissioned by Globe found lower hunger and food insecurity among sampled households enrolled in the government’s Walang Gutom Program between February and July 2026.
The survey covered 2,400 respondents in two rounds. Among program beneficiaries in the sample, hunger declined from 33.6 percent to 26.9 percent. Food insecurity fell from 94 percent to 89.3 percent. The changes among non-beneficiaries were smaller or moved in the opposite direction on some measures.
The program currently serves about 600,000 households and provides food credits that can be used for selected nutritious products. The government plans to add 150,000 households and reach 750,000 beneficiaries.
The survey is evidence that the program may be helping the households studied. It is not proof that every one of the roughly 600,000 enrolled families is eating better. Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian made the same qualification when discussing the results.
For families, the important test is whether food support reaches eligible households regularly, improves the quality and quantity of meals, and remains useful as food prices change.
WHAT TO WATCH
Watch the full survey methodology, later survey rounds and administrative records on delivery, redemption and missed benefits. Expansion should be accompanied by evidence that the program can maintain its quality as enrollment grows.